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f- ,;

ITHE CAT OF BUBASTES

A TALE vOF ANCIENT EGYPT.

G. A. HENTY,

Author of " By Sheer Pluok;" "The YouiiK CiirthiiKiiiiuii;" " For the Temple;'
" In the IteiKii of Terror;" " A Vmx\ UeikoiiinR ;" 4c.

WITH BIGHT FULL PAGE ILirSTRATIONa
hV J. R. WEdUSLIN.

-^T-^

lifji^fminamujil

mujis

GLASGOW :
BLACKIE & SON, Limited.

TORONTO :

I WILLIAM BRIOGS, 29-33 Richmond St. West.
Tub COPP, CLARK COMPANY, Limitkd, 9 Front St. West.

P.61G2J

; ^

Entered according to Act of the Parliament or Canada, in the year one
thousand eight hundred and nin«iy-six, by Hlackie & Son, Limited, at the
Department of Agriculture.

P |{ E K A ( ' E.

My dkau I. ads,

Thanks to the caio with whicli the Egyptians depict id
ti|.()ii the Willis of their seimlchres th«! minutest doings of
th«'ir (hiily hfe, to the dryness of tlie climate which has i>re-
siTvcd these records uninjured for so many thousand years,
juid to the indefatigable lai)Our of modern investigators, we
know far more of the manners and customs of the Kgyptians,
of their jnethotls of work, their sports and amusements, their
piililic festivals, and domestic life, than we do of those (»f
|M'(»[»les comparatively modern. Aly object in the jufsciit
story has been to give you as lively a jMcture as p«>ssible of
tliiit life, drawn from the bulky pages of Sir J. CJardner
Wilkinson and other writers on the same subject. I have
hiid the scene in the time of Thotmes III., one of the great-
est of the Egyptian monarchs, ])eing surpasse<l only in glory
and the extent of his confjuests by Kameses the (Jreat. It
is certain that Thotmes carried the arms of Egypt to the
shores of the Caspian, and a people named tlie Hebu, with
fair hair and blue eyes, were among those dejticted in the
Ki,7[)tian sculptures as being conquered and nuule tributary.
It is open to discussion whether the Exodus of the Jews
fruni Egypt took place in the reign of Thotmes or many
years subsequently, some authors assigning it to the time
of Kameses. Without attempting to enter into this much
discussed question, I have assumed that the Israelites were

I'llKFACE.

still in K^'ypt at tlio titnc of Thotiiics, and ])y introdurini:
Moses just at tlie time he bogan to take up the cause of thr
people to whom he In-longed, 1 leave it to be inferred that
the Exodus took place some forty years later. I wish you
to understand, however, that you are not to acccjtt this date
as being absolutely correct. Opinions tlitl'er widely u[)on it ;
and as no allusion whatever has been discovered either to
the Exo(his, or to any of tiie events which i)receded it,
among the records of Egyi)t, there is nothing to fix the
<late as occurring during the reign of any one among the
long line of Egyptian kings. The term Pharoah used in
the Bible throws no liglit upon the subject, as IMiaroah
Kiinj)Iy means king, and tluj name of no monarch bearing
that appellation is to ])e found on the Egyptian monu
ments. I have in no way exaggerated the conscciuenccs
arising from the slaying of the sacred cat, as the acci
dental killing of any cat whatever was an oiVence punished
by death throughout the history of Egypt down to the time!
of the Koman coiwiection with that country.

Yours sincerely,

G. A. HENTY

C O X T E X T S.

CllAIv Pnk'o

I. TiiK KiNo or THE HKur \)

II. 'I'liK SiKiiK OF TIIK City, -T)

m. Cai'TIv:;, 12

IV. .\n Kasy Skumtude, , [)H

y. In Loweu KtiYi'T, 75

\I. l-'uWI.lNli AND FlSlllN(i, "tj

\'II. lIll'I'Ol'OTAMLH AM) ("llUCtiKII.K, 112

Nil I. TlIK CONSIMUACY IN TIIK TkMI'I.K l.il

IX. A STAKTI,!N(i I'VKNT 117

X. The Cat ok Hi hastes, 10,'t

Xr. DANfiEIW TmcKKN 181

Xn. TiiK Death of Am ekes 1J»J)

XIII. The Seaiu'ii Fou MvsA "218

XIV. A I'KINCE OK KilYlT, 2:)»)

X\'. A.MKiiEs IS Kevencei*, 2.')2

XVI. Ul' THE XlI.E 271

X\ |[. Out OK KcYiT 202

X\ III. The Deskut .Tmiuney 310

XIX. H(jme at Last, 32.'»

XX. The King uk the Kebu 312

1LL(ISTIIATI()N8.

FOWLINV. WITH THE ThUOWINO-STICK,

Vnge
Front mj}uce

TuK Kkul Pkoi'lk lkd into VwrivnY,

• • • • «tl

Thk Hiuh-i'rirst i-rksknts Amiha am. .Ikthko to mih Wikk, 02

Aminsk (iivks a HAXyt-KT to nKii Fuik.vds,

. 115

Amknsk a.vi> Mysa hkwaii. thk Dkath ok Nkco, .... 157

TllK HllUNG-PLACK OK ClIEUUoN A.VIl Hlii FuiENlJH, . . . 2i>5

Thk Highway ok Egypt",

271

" Long live Amuba, King ok the Rebu

340

Aix

THE CAT OF BUBASTES.

THAPTRU L

THE KING OF THE REBU

THE sun was blazing down upon a city on the western
shore of the Caspian. It was a primitive city, and
yet its size and popuhition rendered it worthy of the term.
It consisted of a vast aggregation of ))uihlings, which were
for the most i>art mere huts. Among them rose, however, a
few of more solid buihl and of higher pretensions. These
were the abodes of the chiefs and great men, the temples,
and places of assendjly. Ihit, although larger and more solidly
built, these buildings could lay noclaim to architectural beauty
of any kind, but were little more than magnified huts, and
even the king's palace was but a coiiectio ;. of such buildings
closely adjoining each other.

The town was surrounded by a lofty wall with battle-
ments and loopholes, and a similar but higher wall girt in
the dwellings of the king and of his principal captains. The
stieets were alive with the busy multitude; and it was evi-
dent that, although in the arts of peace the nation had made
but little progress, they had in everything appertaining to
war made great advances. Most of the men wore hehnets
closely tittiiig to the head and surmounted by a spike.
These were for the most part com})osed of hammered brass,
although some of the head-pieces were made of tough hide,
studded with knobs of metal. All carried round shields
— those of the soldiers, of leather still'ened with metal;
those of the captains, of brass, worked with considerable
elaboration.

'!l

A RACE OF WARRIORS.

In their belts all wore daggers, while at their backs were
slung quivers of iron; painted bows hung over one shoulder,
and some had at their waist a pouch of smooth flat stones
and leather slings. Their chief garment was a sort of kilt
falling to the knee. Above the waist some wore only a thin
vest of white linen, others a garment not unlike the night-
gown of modern times, but with short sleeves. The kilt
was worn over this. Some had breast-pieces of thick leather
confined by straps behind; while in the case of the officers
the leather was covered with small pieces of metal, forming
a cuirass.

All carried two or three javelins in the left hand, and a
spear some ten feet long in the right. Horsemen galloped
about at full speed to and from the royal palace, while
occasionally chariots, drawn sometimes by one, sometimes
by two horses, dashed along. These chariots were small,
the wheels not exceeding three feet in height. Between
them was placed the body of the vehicle, which was but
just large enough for two men to stand on. It consisted
only of a small platform, with a semicircular rail running
round the front some eigliteon inches above it. A close
observer would have perceived at once that not only were
the males of the city upon the point of marching out on a
military expedition, but that it was no mere foray against a
neighbouring people, but a war on which the safety of the
city depended.

Women were standing in tearful groups as they watched
the soldiers making towards the gates. The men themselves
had a resolute and determined look, but there was none of
the light-hearted gaiety among them which betokened the ex-
pectation of success and triumph. Inside the palace the bustle
of preparation was as marked as without. The king and his
principal councillors and loaders wcro assembled in the great
circular hut which formed the audience-room and council-
chamber. Messengers arrived in close succession with news
of the progress and strength of the enemy, or with messages

A COUN'CIL OF WAR.

from the neighbouring towns and tribes as to the contih-
kjents tliey had furnished, and the time at which these had
set out to join the army.

Tlie king himself was a tall and warlike figure, in the

[prime of life. He had led his warriors on miiny successful

[expeditions far to the west, and had repulsed with great

jloss the attemi»ts of the Persians to encroach upon his

territory. Standing beliind him was his son, Amubu, a lad

of some fifteen years of age. The king and his councillors,

las well as all the wealthier inhabitants of the city, wore, in

jaiMition to the kilt and linen jacket, a long robe highly

{coloured and ornamented with fanciful devices, and having a

broad rich border. It was fastened at the neck with a large

brooch, fell loosely from the shoulders to the ankles, and

was open in front. The girdles which retained the kilts and

in which the daggers were worn were highly ornamented,

and the ends fell down in front and terminated in large

I tassels.

All wore a profusion of necklaces, bracelets, and other

joniamonts of gold; many of the chiefs wore feathers in

I their helmets, and the greater portion of all ranks had

I figures tattooed on their arms and legs. They were fair in

|cuini)lexion, with blue eyes; their hair was for the most part

golden or red, and they wore their beards short and pointed.

[The young Princ^ Amuba was attired for the field; his

litlniet was of gold, and his cuirass covered with plates of

the same metal. He listened with su|)pressed impatience to

tiio aiguments of his elders, for he was eager to bo oft",

tliis being the first time that he had been permitted to take

})art in the military expeditions of his country.

After listening for some time and perceiving that there
was no prospect of the council breaking up, he retired to the
large hut adjoining the council-chamber. This served as
the dwelling-place of the la<lies and their family. It was
divided into several apartments by screens formed of hide
sewn together and hidden from sight by coloured hangings.

MOTIIEK AND SON.

li,

li:!

llju

In one of these a lady was seated on a low couch covered
wi*h panthers* skins.

" They have not done talking yet, mother. It has been
a question as to where we sliall assemble to give battle. It
does not seem to me to make much dili'erence where we fight,
but they seem to think that it is most important; and of
course they know more about it than I do. They have fixed
upon a place at last — it is about fifteen miles from here.
They say that the ground in front is marshy and can hardly
be traversed by the enemy's chariots ; but if they cannot get
at us, it seems to me that we cannot get at them. Messen-
gers have been sent off to order all the contingents to
assemble at that spot. Six thousand men are to remain
behind to guanl the city; but as we mean to beat them I
do not think there can be much occasion for that; for you
think we shall beat them — don't you, mother]"

"I hope so, Amuba; but I am very fearful."

"But we have several times repulsed them when they
have invaded our country, mother; why should we not do
so this time?"

" They are much stronger than they have ever been before
when they have come against us, my boy; and their king is
a great warrior, who has been successful in almost every
enterprise he has undertaken."

"I cannot think why he wants to conquer us, mother.
They say the riches of Egypt are immense, and the splen-
dour of their temples and buildings such as we have no
idea of. We have no quarrel with them if they will but let
us alone."

"No country is so rich that it does not desire more, my
son. We have gold and are skilled in the working of it,
and no doubt they anticipate that they will capture much
treasure in the land; besides, as you say, their expeditions
against the Kebu have been several times repulsed, and
therefore their monarch will reap all the greater honour if
he should defeat us. As to tlieir having no quarrel with

LAST ADVICE.

jouch covered

IS, have we not made many expeditions to the west, return-
lini; with captives and mucli booty'? and yet the people iiad
Ino quarrel with us — many of them, indeed, could scarcely
[have known us by name when our army appeared among
Itheiu. Some day, my son, things may be managed ditVer-
ently ; but at present kings who have power make war upon
mt'oitle tliut are weaker than themselves, spoil them of their
goods, and make slaves of them.

'* 1 hope, Amuba, you will not expose yourself too much
[in the coiiHict. You have not come to man's strength yet;
and remember you are my only child. See that your
charioteer covers you with his shield when you have entered
tiie battle, for the Egyptians are terrible as archers. Their
bows carry much farther than do ours, and the arrows will
I pierce even the strongest armour. Our spearmen have al-
ways shown themselves as good as theirs — nay, better, for
they are stronger in body and full of courage. It is in the
goodness of her archers and the multitude of her chariots
tliat the strength of Egypt lies. Kemember that although
iyour father, as king, nmst needs go into the thick of the
I battle to encourage his soldiers, there is no occasion why
you, who are yet a boy, should so expose yourself.

" It will doubtless be a terrible battle. The Egyptians have
the memory of past defeats to wipe out, and they will be
fighting under the eye of their king. I am terrified, Amuba.
Hitherto when your father has gone out to battle I have
never doubted as to the result. The Persians were not foes
whom brave men need dread; nor was it difficult to force
the hordes passing us from the eastward towards the setting
sun to respect our country, for we had the advantage in
arms and discipline. But the Egy[)tians are terrible foes,
and the arms of their king have been everywhere victorious.
My heart is filled with dread at the thought of the approach-
ing conflict, though I try to keep up a brave face when your
father is with me, for I would not that he should deem me
cowardly."

001 NO OUT TO BATTLE.

•'I trust, motlier, that your fears are groundless; and I
cannot think tliat our men will give way when fighting for
their homes and country upon ground chosen by themselves. '

"I hope not, Amuba. But there is the trumpet sound-
ing; it is the signal that the council have broken up and
that your father is about to start. Bless you, my dear boy,
and may you return safe and sound from the conflict!"

The queen fondly embraced her son, who left the apaif
mont hastily as his father entered in order that the lattn
might not see the traces of tears on his cheeks. A few-
minutes later the king, with his captains, started from the
I)alace. Most of them rode in chariots, the rest on horse-
back. The town was quiet now and the streets almost
deserted. With the exception of the garrison, ail the men
capable of bearing arms had gone forth; the women with
anxious faces stood in groui)s at their doors and watched
the royal party as it drove out.

The charioteer of Amuba was a tall and powerful man;
he carried a shield far larger than was ordinarily used, and
had been specially selected by the king for the service. His
orders were that he was not to allow Amuba to rush into
the front line of fighters, and that ho was even to disobey
the orders of the prince if he wished to charge into the
ranks of the enemy.

"My son must not shirk danger," his father said, "and
he must needs go well into the fight; but he is still but ;i
boy, not fit to enter upon a hand-to-hand contest with tlie
picked warriors of Egypt. In time I hope he will fight
abreast of me, but at present you must restrain his ardoui',
I need not bid you shield him as well as yon can from the
arrows of the Egyptians. He is my eldest son, and if auglit
happens to me he will be the King of the Kebu; and his
life is therefore a precious one."

Half an hour later they came upon the tail of tlie
stragglers making their way to the front. The king stopped
his chariot and sharply reproved some of them for their

THE OUDER OF BATTLE.

(\ch\v in setting out, anfl urged them to hasten on to the aj>-
nniiitt'd place. In two hours the king arrived at this spot,
wlierc alrervdy some forty tliousand men were assemhled.
The scouts wlio had heen sent out ie})orted that althougli
tlie advance-guard of the Egyptians miglit arrive in an
liour's time the main body were some distance behind, and
would not 1)0 up in time to attack before (hirk.

This was welcome news, for ])efore niglit the rest of the
forces of the Kebu, fully thirty thousand more, would have
joined. The king at once set out to examine tlie ground
chosen by his general for the conllict. It sloped gently down
in front to a small stream which ran through soft and marshy
ground, and would oppose a formidable obstacle to the pas-
sage of chariots. The right rested upon a dense wood, while
a villa"e a mile and a half distant from the wood was held
]>y the left wing.

A causeway which led from this across the marsh had
1)een broken up, and heavy blocks of stone were scattere<l
thickly upon it to impede the passage of chariots. The
archers were jdaced in front to harass the enemy attempt-
ing to cross. Behind them were the spearmen in readiness
to advance and aid them if pressed. The chariots were on
the higher ground in the rear ready to dash in and join in
the conflict should the enemy succeed in forcing their way
I through the marsh.

The visit of inspection was scarcely finished when a cloud
I of dust was seen rising over the plain. It approached rapidly.
Tlie flash of arms could be seen in the sun, and presently a
vast number of horses were seen ai)proaching in even line.

"Are they horsemen, father?" Amuba asked.

"No, they are chariots, Anniba. The Egyj)tians do not,

[like us, fight on horseback, although there may be a few

Bmall ))odies of horsemen with the army; their strength lies

in their chariots. See, they have halted; they have perceived

I our ranks drawn up in order of battle."

The chariots drew up in perfect line, and as the clouds of

THE EGYPTIAN HOST.

dust blew away four lines of chariots could bo made out
ranged at a distance of a iiundred yards apart.

" Tiiere are about a thousand in each line," the king said,
"and this is but their advance guard ; we have learne«l from
fugitives that there are fully tiftoen thousand chariots with
their army."

"Is there no other place where they can pass this swamp,
father!"

"Not so well as hcr-e, Amuba; the valley deepens further
on, and the passage would be far more aifficult than liere.
Above, beyond the wood, there is a lake of considerable
extent, and beyond that the ground is broken and unsuited
for the action of chariots as far as the seji. Besides, they
have come to fight us, and the pride of their king would not
permit of their making a detour. See, there is some great
personage, probably the king himself, advancing beyond their
ranks to reconnoitre the ground."

A chariot was indeed approaching the opposite brow of
the depression; there were two figu. 3S in it; by the sido
walked numerous figures, who, although too far off to
be distinguished, were judged to be the attendants and
courtiers of the king. The sun flashed from the side of tho
chariot, which appear'^d at this distance to be composed of
burnished gold. Greui fans carried on wands shaded the
king from the heat of the sun.

He drove slowly along the edge of the brow imtil he
reached a point opposite the wood, and then, turnini:,
went the other way till he reached the causeway whicli
passed on through the village. After this he rode back to
the line of chariots and evidently gave a word of command,
for instantly the long line of figures seen above the horses
disappeared as the men stepped off the chariots to the ground.
No movement took place for an hour, then there was a
sudden stir, and the long lines broke up and wheeled round
to the right and left, where they took up their position in
two solid masses.

(481)

SlUANiiK (iOliS.

bo made out

•'The main army arc at haiul," the kin<; said. "Do you
8C(* tliat "^Tcat ch)ud, ruddy in tlie setting; sun? that is tlie
dust raised l)y thoir a«lvanco ; in another hour they will Ije
here. l)Ut ))y that time the sun will have set, and assuredly
tJH'V will not attack until moniiiii;."

The trout line were ordered to remain under arms for a
tiiiK'; the others were told to fall out and j)n'jiare their food
for th(f night. The Kiiyptian army ha ted altout a mile «lis-
taiit, and as soon as it w. s evident that no further move-
nit'iit wa?^ intended, the whole of the soldiers were ordered
to fall out. A line of archers were jdaced aloni; tlw; e(l:L;e of
the swanip, and ere long a party of JOgyptian bowmen took
up tlu'ir post along the opposite crest. (Ireat tires were
lighted, and a numher of oxen, which had been driven for-
ward in readiness, were slaughtered for food.

"If the Kuvptians can see what is gt)inLr on," the kinj'
said to his son, "they must be filled with fury, for they
worship the oxen as among their chief gods."

'"Is it possible, fatl^jr, that they can believe that cattle
are gods r' Anuiba asked in surjuise.

"They do not exactly look upon them as gods, my son,
but as sacred to their gods. Similarly tbey reverence the
eat, the ihis, and many other creatures."

" How strange!" Amuba said. "Do tlioy ^ot worship, as
we and the Persians do, the sun, which, as nnist see, is
the giver of light and heat, which ripens our crops and gives
fcitility in abundance?"

"Not, so far as I know, Amuba; but I know that tliey
have many gods who they l)elieve give them victory over
their enemies."

"They don't always give them victory," Amul)a said,
"since four times they have been repulsed in their endeav-
ours to invade our land; perhaps our gods are more i»ower-
ful than theirs."

"It may bt^, that, my son ; but so far as I can sec the gods
ive victory to the bi'avest and most mnnerous armies."

( 4H1 ) B

•'YOU AUK MY MKIII."

*'Tli!it is to .s;iy tlicy do not iiitcrferi; ut all, fatlier."

" 1 tio not say that, my sou; wo know little of tlie ways <.f
tlio i^Mils. Macli iialioii liiis its own, and us sonio natini,^
overthrow others, it iiiiist he that (iither sonic i^ods are nioif
powerful than otlicis, or that, they do not interfere to sa\c
those wiio worship them from destruction. I>ut these tiiin,u>
arc all beyond our knowltMl^^c. We have l)Ut to do oiii
part bravely, and we neecl assuredly not fear the l)ulls and
the cats, and other creatures in which the KLiyptians trust.'

Some hours wcie spent by the kinj^% his leadjsrs, Jind his
captains in j^'oini^ about amoni; the troops seeing that all
tlie continjj;cnts had arrived well armed and in i;ood order,
notifying to the Icadeis of each the jiosition they should
'take up in the morning, and doing m11 in their power to
animate and eneouragt; the soldicMs. When all was done the
king sat down on a pile of skins which had been ]ire])are(l
for him, and talked long and eainestly with his son, giving
him advice as to liis conduct in future, if aught shonld befall
him in the connng fight.

" Vou are my lieir," he said, "and as is customary to the
country the thione goes down from father to son. Weie 1
to survive for another eiuht or ten years you wouhl, of
course, succeed me, but should 1 fall to-morrow, an<l should
the Egyptians overrun the land, things may happen otiK.M-
.vise. In that case the great need of the people wouhl be a
military leader who would rouse them to prolonged resistan< f
and lead them ugain and again against the Egyptians until
tlicse, worn out by the ])erpetual fighting, a])andon the idea
of subjecting us, and turn their attention to less stubborn-
minded ])eople.

" For such work you are far too young, and the ])eo])]e
would look to Amusis or one of my other captains as then
leader. Should success crown his ellbrts they may choose
him as their king. In that case I would say, Amuba, it
will be far better for you* to acquiesce in the public choiic
than to struggle against it. A lad like you would have n<>

"JOUUNKY Tl) Tin: I' All WKsl.'

, fatliur."
of tho ways (.f
soiuo iiatitu,-
l;o(Is are iiH»if
crtoro to sa\f
t tlu'se tliiii,!:>

Mlt to <1(> Olll'

till! l)ulls ami
■ptians trust. '
nl(!rf, ami liis
■eiiig tliat all
n L(oo(l oiilcr,
I they slioiild
M'ir jtowtT t(>
was (lone tlic
u'cn )iio])art'(l
lis son, giviiiLc
; slioulil ht'fall

omary to tlic
)n. W'vAv I
11 would, of
and siiould

})j)On OtlKM-

would lie a
;cd resistaiK ('

ptians until
Ion tlie idea
iss stubbom-

tlie jH^oplc
ains as tiu'ii
may choose
, Amui)a, it
ublic clioi(('
uld have n«>

prospect of sucross ncrainst a victorious sonoral, tlic clioice
ot the people, and yoii wtuiM only i)riii^ ruin and death
upon vouiselt' and your niotlicr by oppositiLj liini.

"1 rail assun; you that tlicrc is notliitij; so very greatly to
be I'livji'd in tlic lot ot a Uiu-S, and as on** oi the nobb-n of
the land your position would be far !norc pleasant hero than
u-. kiiiLC. A cheerful ac(piiescenco on your part to tlicir
wishes will earn yviu tho <^ood will of the peojile, and at tin;
death of Iiiiii whom tliey may choose for their hini; their
next ch(»ice may fall ujxm you. ho all in your power to
win the good-will of whoever may take tin; ))lace of leader
at my death l)y setting; an example of prompt and willinj;
obedience to his orders. It is easy for an ambitious man to
icmove a hul from his j)ath, and your safety abs(»lutely
demands that \o\\ shall give him no reason whatever to
rcu'iii'd you as a rival.

"I trust that all this advice may not be needed, and that
we may C(Mi(|Uer in to-morrow's liL;ht, but if we are beaten tlit?
probability that 1 shall escape is very small, and it is there-
fore as well that you siiould bo i)repared for whatever may
happen. If you find that in spite of following my advice
the leader of the })eople, wliocver he may lie, is ill-disposed
towards you, withdraw to tho borders of the country, col
lect as laru'e a band as you can — tlieie are always plenty of
restless spirits ready to take jiart in any adventure — and
jcHirncy with them to the far vest, as so many of our people
have done before, and establish yourself there and fount I a
kiii!j;doin.

"None of those who have ever gone in that direction
liave returned, and they must therefore have found spate to
i'stablish themselves, for had tliey met with ])eoi)le skilled
ill war and been defeated, some at least would havt^ fountl
their way back, but so long as traditions have been handed
down to us tribes from the east have poured steadily west-
ward to the unknown land, and no band lias ever returned."

His father spoke so seriously that Amuba lay down that

TIIK nAITI.E nK(;lNH.

ni«;lit on his conch of skins in a vrry (HfT^Tont ninod to tliat
in \vlii(;li ho liad riddrn out; he had thought littlo of his
niothcM'H forclHdlin^H, and had I<»okod U|»on it as certain that
the Iiehu would heat the IviVptians us they liad done Indole,
but his fjither's tone showed iiini tiiat lie too felt hy no
means confident of the issue of the day.

As «oon as <hiyhj,dit lnoke the liehu stood to tlieir amis.
and un hour hiter (Umisc masses of tiio Ks^yptians were seen
a<lvancini^. As soon as these reacii(!d the edi^'o of the slope
and ))ei;an to descend towards the stream, tins kini; ordered
his people to a<lvance to the edj^'e of tin; swamp and to open
tiro with their arrows.

A shower of missiles flew t]uou!:;h the air and fell amoni;
the ranks of the P^j^'yptian footmen who had just arrived at
the edj^e of the swamp. So terrihle was the discharg«^ that
the Egyptians recoiled and, retreating; half-way up the sIojk!
where they would he heyond the reach of tlie liehu, in turn
discharged their arrows. 'J'lie 8U|ieriority of the Kgy])tian
bowmen was at once maiufest; they carried very jtoweifiil
bows, and standing sideways drew them to the ear, just as
the English archers did at Crecy, and therefore shot tlieir
arrows a vastly greater distance than did their opponents,
who were accustomed to draw their 1)ows only to the
breast.

Scores of the Rebu fell at the first discharge, and as the
storm of arrows contiimed, they, finding themselves j)owrr
less to damage the Egyptians at that distance, retired
half-way up the side of the slope. Now from behind the
lines of the Egyi)tian archers a column of men advanced a
hundred abreast, each carrying a great faggot; their object
was evident, they were about to j)repare a wide causeway
across the marsh by which the chariots could pass. Again
the Rebu advanced to the edge of the swamp and poured in
their showers of arrows; but the {Egyptians, covering them-
selves with the bundles of faggots they carried, suffered but
little harm, while the Rebu were mown down by the arrows

A SI OHM OK AlUluWS.

L'l

0(mI to tllJlt
itllo of Ins
ccrtuiii that
l()!ie ixitoic,
felt by no

tlu'ir anus,
s were seen
[)f tlio slope
;iii'' ordeteil
and to o\tvA\

1 fell anjonu
^t arrived at
scliarge tliat
np the sloi»e
ebn, in turn
lie K.u'vptian
;ry poweifid
1 ear, just as
shot their
opponents,
|)nly to the

and as the
[Ives power
ice, retired
[behind the
ladvanced a
f-heir object
causeway
|s. Again
ll poured in
}ring tlieni-

itfered but
Ithe arrows

of the i.ifvptian archers shooting calmly and »tea<lily beyond
fill' ian,i;e ol thfii* nii>siies.

As s(Miii as the fnint rank of the Kgyptian cohmin reached
the ed^e of the swampy ground the men of the front line
laid down their faggots in a close row, and then retired
III the intervals hetween their comrades behind them. Kac.h
link as it arrived at the ed-'e did the same. Many fell
lieiieath the arrows of the Kebu, but the operation went on
>teadily, the faggots being laiil down two deep as the ground
heraiiit' more marshy, and the liebu saw, with a feeling ap-
proiichiiiL; <lismay, the gradual i)Ut steady advance of a
eaiiseway two liundnMl yards wide across the swamp.

The king himself and his bravest captains, alighting from
their chariots, went d«)wn among the footmen and urged them
to stand firm, pointing Oi't that every yard the causeway a<l-
vaiice(l their arrows intlicted more fatal (lamaire anioni; the
men who wen; forming it. Their entreaties, however, were
vain ; the ground facing the causeway was already thickly
emuiiiberetl with dead, and the hail of the Kgyptian arrows
was 80 fast and deadly that even the bravest shrank from
uitlistanding it. At last even their leaders ceased to urge
theiii, and the king gave the order for all to fall back beyond
the range of the Kgyptian arrows.

Some changes were made in the formation of tin; troops, and
the best and most disciplined bands were jJaced facing the i
causeway so as to receive the charge of the Kgyptian chariots.
Tlij two front lines were of spearmen, while on the liighei
uMduiid behind them were placed archers whose orders Mere
to shoot at the horses, and to pay no heed to those in the
iliariots; then came the chariots, four hundred in number.
Ilehind these again was a deep line of sj)earmen ; on the
right anil left extending to the wood and village were the
main hody of the army, who were to oppose the Kgyptian
footmen advancing across the swamp.

The completion of the last portion of the causeway cost
the Kgyptiaiis heavily, for while they were expotied to the

THE FIGHT AT THE CAUSEWAY.

;ll(

arrows of the Kel)ii archers these were now beyond the range
of the K^yptiuns on tlic opposite crest. But at last the
work wjis coniplctetl. Just as it was Hjiislied and the worlv-
men had retired, the king leaped from his chariot, and, lead-
ing a body of a hundred men carrying blazing brands, dashed
down the slope. As soon as they were seen the Egyptian
archers ran for\vai<l and a storm of arrows was jioured into
the little l)and. 'J wo -thirds of them fell ere they reached
the causeway, the others appliefl thidr torches to the faggots.

The^Egyiitian footmen rushed across to extinguish the
fiames, while the Kebu poured down to repel them. A
desperate tight ensued, but the bravery of the liebu pre-
vailed, and the Egyptians were driven back. Their attack,
however, had answered its purpose, for in the struggle the
faggots had l)een trodden dee})er into the miie, and the tire
was extimruished. The Ituiju no>v went ])ack to their first
position and waited the attack which they were powerless to
avert. It was u[)waids of an hour before it began, then the
long line of Egv})tian footmen oi)ened, and their chariots
were seen fifty abreast, then ' ilh a mighty shout the whole
army advanced down tiie slope. The Kebu replied with
their war-cry.

At full s})eed the Egyptian chariots dashed down the
declivity to the causeway. This Avas the signal for the Kebu
archers to draw their bows, and in an instant confusion
was spread among the first line of cl'ariots. The horses
wounded b}- the missiles plunged madly. Many, stejtping
between tlio faggots, fell. For a moment the advance was
checked, l)ut the Egyj)tian footmen, entering the swamp
waist-dee}), opened such a terrible tire with their arrows
that the front line of the Kebu were forced to fall back,
and the aim of their archers became wild and uncertain.

In vain the king endeavoured to steady them. AVhile he
was doing so, the tii.-t of the Egyptian chariots had already
made their way acr».»ss the causeway, and behind them the
others poured on in an unbroken column. Then through

A TKItKHlLE STUl'GGLH

•oncl the range
It at last the
and the work-
liot, and, lead-
)iands, (hiblied

the Egyptian
IS jxuired into

they readied
;o tlie la^•l;ot^^.
xtinuuisli the
»el them. A
he l{el)ii pre-

Their attack,
e strui,'i,de the
Q, and the tire
c to tlieir first
e powerless to
}gan, then the
their chariots
out the whole

replied with

d down the
for the Kehn
nt confusion

The horses
any, ste}>ping
advance Mtis

the swaniii
their arrows
to fall back,
ncertain.
, AVhile he

ha<l already
id them the
neu through

llie l)roken lines of spearmen the Kebu chariots dashed down
ii]i()ii them, followed by the host of spearmen. The king's
itnjvct was to arrest the first onslaught of the Egyptians, to
(.vi'iwlielm the leaders, and i>revc'nt the mass behind from
(•iiicf'-in'r from the ciowded causeway.

The shock was terrible. Horses and chariots rolled over
ill wild confusion, javelins were hurled, bows twanged, and
til.' .■-liouts of the cond)atants and the cries of the wounded
a> thev fell beneath the feet of the struggling horses created
u terrible din. Eight and active, the liebu footmen rtiingletl
ill the fray, diving under the bellies of the Egyptian horses,
and iiitlifting vital stal)S with their long knives or engaging
ill liaiid-t(»-hand contiicts with the dismounted Egyptians.
Aniuba had charged down with the rest of the chariots. He
was stationed in the second line, immediately behind his
tailicr; and his charioteer, mindful of the orders he had re-
ct;i\ ed, strove, in s})ite of the angry or<lers of the lad, to keep
tlu! chariot stationary; but the horses, accustomed to man-
(iiivre in line, were not to be restrained, and in spite of their
drivel's eilbrts charged down the slope with the rest.

Amiiba, who had hunted the lion and leopard, retained
his coolness, and discharged his arrows among the Egyptians
with steady aim. For a time the contest was doubtful.
Tlie Egy})tian chariots crow^ded on the causeway were unable
to move forward, and in many places their weight forced
the faggots so deep in the mire that the vehicles were im-
movable. Meanwhile, along the swamp on both sides a
terrible contest wiis going on. The Egyptians, covered by
tlie lire of thtiir arrows, succeeded in making their way
aeross the swamp, but here they were met by the liebu
sjteaiiuen, and the tight raged along the whole line.

Then two thousand chosen men, the body-guard of the
Egyptian king, made their way across the swamp close to
the causeway, while at the same time there was a movement
among the densely packed vehicles. A tremendous impulse
was given to them from behind: some were presseil of!" into

A CHARGE OF CIIAUIOTS.

11 1 i

the swamp, some were overtlirown or tram])le(l under foot,
some were s\ve})t forward <»n to the firm ^urouiid heyoim,
and thus a mass of the heaviest cliariots drawn by tlie nio-t
powerful horses forced their way across tiie causeway ovtr
all obstacles.

In their midst was the King of Kgypt himself, the grcut
Tliotmes.

The weight and impetus of tiie mass of horses and chariots
pressed all before it up the hill. This gave to the chariots
which came on behind room to open to the right and left.
Tiie king's l)od}-guard shook the solid formation of the
Ivebu si)earmen with their thick flights of airows, and the
chariots then dashed in among them. The IJebu fought with
the valour of their race. The Egyptians who first charged
among them fell pierced witli tip ir arrows, while their
horses were stabl)ed in innumerable places. But as the
stream of chariots poured over without a check, and charged
in vsections upon thrm, bursting their way through the mass
of footmen by the force and fury Avith which they ch.argec',
the infantry ix'came broken up in.o groups, each tighliiiu
doggedly and desperately.

At this moment the oflicer in command of the Kebu horse,
a thousand strong, charged down upon the Egyptian chariotf-,
drove them back towards the swamp, and for a time restored
tiie conflict; but the breaks which had occurred between the
\lii\ni centre and its two flanks had enabled the Kgy})tian
body-guard to thrust themselves through and to fall upon
th(^ Relm chariots and spearmen, who were still maintaining
the des|>erate conflict. The liebu king had throughout fought
in the front line of his men, inspiriting them with his voice
and valour. Many times, when liis chariot was so jammc<l
in the mass that all movement was impossible, he lea])t to
the ground, and, making his way through the throng, slew
many of the occupants of the Egyptian chariots.

But his efiorts and those of his ca])tains were unavailing.
The weight of the attack was incsistiiije. The solid pliahuiN

lei

.^n

$u,

iell

liU!

IJKATH UF TllK KKIIU K1N(J.

2;')

led under font,
ouiid l)ey"!;ii,
n by the nio>t
ijuuseway over

iself, the great

L's and chariots

to the chariots

light jind left.

miition of tlie

rows, and the

)U fought with

) first charged

s, wliile their

But as tilt

<, and chargei'

ough tlie mass

they cliaigec,

each tiuiitiiiu

le Rebu hor^e,

|)tian chariots,

time restored

between the

lie Egyptian

to fall upon

maintaining

Ighoutfouiiht

ith his voice

so jammed

I, he lea})t to

Ithrong, slew

unavailing.
i)lid )>haht)i\

if Ku'vptian chariots pressed onward, and the Kebu were
*)iccil >tea(lilv buck, 'i'iieii' chariots, enoniiDiisly uutniiiii-
»ei('d, weie destroyed rather than deteuted. The horses lel!
pierced l»y th(^ terrible lain ot" arrows, and the wave of
!J)Lrvj)tiaiis ])assed over them. The king, looking round in
lis ciiariot, .saw that all was lost here, and that the only
>o|)e was to gain one or other of the masses of his infantry
^n the Ihink, and to lead them oil" the held in solid order.
Jut as he turned to give orders, a shaft sent by a bowman
a chariot a tew yar«ls away struck him in the eye, and he
;I1 hack dead in his chariot.

CIIAITKR ir.

THE SI HUE OF THE CITY.

MUBA saw his father fall, and leaping from his chariot,
strove to make his way through the mingled mass of
iDotnien and chariots to the spot. Jethro followed close
iicliind him. lie, too, had caught sight of the falling figure,
|nd knew what Amuba did not — that the Kebu had lost
leir king. He was not forgetful of the chaige which had
Heeii laid on him, but the lad w;is for a moment beyond his
fontrol, and he, too, was filled with fury at the fall of the
pii'i, and determined if possible to save his body, lie
3aclied Amuba's side just in time to interpose his shield
between the boy and an Egyptian archer in a chariot ho
as passing. The arrow pierced the shi^-ld and the arm that
iel<i it. Jethro })aused an instant, broke ofl' the shaft at
le shield, and seizing the point, which was projecting
i\V() inches beyoiul the Hesh, pulled the arrow through the
round.
It was but a moment's work, but short as it was it almost

AML'DA Ih UKSCUEl).

cost Amuba his life, for the archer, leaning forward, dropt
the end of his bow over the lad's head — a trick conunoi;

among the hgyptuin archers — and in a nioment dragged hiin
to the ground, while his comrade in the chariot raised lii,>
spear to despatch him. Jetliro sprang forward with a shunt
of rage, and with a blow of his sword struck ofl' the heud oi
the spear as it was descending. Then shortening his swonl,
he s{)rang into the chariot, ran the man holding the bow
through the l)ody, and grappled with the spearman.

The struggle was a short one. Leaving his sword in tli-
body of the archer, Jcthro drew his dagger and speedily
dei!patched his foe. Then he jumju'd down, and lifting
Amuba, who was insensible from the siiarp jerk of the bou
string upon his throat and the violence of his fall, carrici
him back to his chariot. This Mith the greatest ditficultv
he managed to draw out of the heat of the conflict, wliicL
was for the moment rai^dng more fiercely than before, 'iln
Kebu who had seen the fall of their king had dashed for
ward to rescue the body and to avenge his death. Tlicv
cleared a space round him, and as it was impossible to extri
cate his chariot, they carried liis body through the chaos n:
])lunging horses, broken chariots, and fiercely struggiiiL'
men to the rear.

Then it was placed in another chariot, and the drivd
started with it at full sj)eed for the city. Jethro, on emeiL'
ing from the crowd, paused for a moment to look rouml.
He saw at once that the battle was lost. The centre w;i-
utterly broken, and the masses of the Kgy])tians who lia
crossed the swamj) were ])ressing heavily on the flanks of ti
Kebu footmen, who were still ojjposing a firm stand to t he-
attacking them in front. For the moment the j)assage of ti.
Egyptian chariots was arrested; so choked was the causewa
with chariots and liorses which were embedded in the in in
or had suidv between the faggots, that fuither juissage vv:.-
impossible, and a large body of footmen were now forinin.
a fresh causeway by the side of the other.

"AND THK K1N(;, MY KAIIIKK?"

forward, dropt

trick coininoii
nt dra!j;ucd liim
iriot raised lli^
'd with a sli(ji;t
ofl' the heud oi
liiiiT liis swoni,
)ldini:: the \n)\\
arniaii.

is sword in tli'
r and speedily
vn, and hftiii:
M'k of the h(i\v
lis fall, carrici
3atcst ditficuhy

conflict, whi(.h
n hefore. '\'W
lad dashed for

death. They
issihle to extri
:;h the chaos n:

:ely struggliii;:

md the drivd

Jno, on emciL'

to look rouml

riie centre \v;i>

tians who Im

le tlanks of ;i

stand to th«»-

|)assaL!;e of ti,

s the cause \\;i

mI ill the mil'

er jiassa.Lie sv,.-

e now forinin:

»leted, for tli

Tliis would soon he completed, tor they were now

Sidi-t III lied hy opposition, and dethro saw that as soon as
\\;i>(loiie the KLTyptiaii iiost would sweep across and fall
tiaiMii the rear of the Kehu. detliio ran up to two mounted

fell, ha llv wounded, who had like himself made their way
It <ii' the i\ii,\\t.
e •Sic,' he saiil, "in a rpiartor of an hour a new causeway
#ill he coiiipletetl, and the Kuyi)tian8 will pour over. In
tiliat ( ase I'esistaiice will ho impossihle, and all will he lost.
Do one of you ride t«» each Hank and tell the captains that
tile kiiiu' is dead, that there are none to give orv.ers here,
ftlid that their only chance to save their troops is to retreat
at tiiH sj»eed hut kee{)ing good order to the city."

The horsemen rode otl' immediately, for Jetliro, as the
kinu^ own charioteer, was a man of some importance. After
cle-|iiitchiiig the messengers he returne*! to his chariot and
8t oiice drove otl. Aiiiuha was now recovering, and the
ixiiiih inotiou of the vehicle as it dashed along at full speed
»roii-ed him.

•• What is it, Jethro? What has happened 1"
'■'riie battU^ is lost, prince, and I am conveying you hack
to ihe city. You have had a rough fall and a narrow escape
Qf vour life, and can do no more lighting even if fighting

fcie ot any gootl, which it is not."
•'And the king, my father^' Aniuha said, struggling to
iis fe.'t. "What of him I Did I not see him fallf'

*" 1 know nought of him for certain," Jetliro replied.
^Thi'ie was a terrible fi<dit raiiiiiii;, and as I had vou to
Caiiy out I could take no sham in it. Ilesides, 1 had an
jB'Kiw through my left arm — if 1 had been a moim'ut later it
WdiiM liave gone through your body instead. And now, if
you ilo not mind taking the reins, I will bandage it up. I
havr iioL hail time to think about it yet, but it is bleeding
las!, and 1 begin to feel faint."

This was indeed true ; })ut Jethro had called Amuba's
ittentiuii to his wound principally for the sake of diverting

FLKillT.

'ill

liis thoughts for a moment from his fear for his fatlior. A=
Aiiinha drove, lio looked haek. The plain behind him wa-
covered with a mass of fugitives.

"I see that all is lost," he said mournfully. "But how i-
it that we are not i)ursued?"

** We shall he j)ursued before long," Jetliro answeicil.
"But I fancy that few of the Kgyittian chariots which tiiM
passed are in a condition to follow. ^Mostot" them have li)>:
horses or drivers. Numbers were broken to pieces in th-
melc'e. But they are making a fresh causeway, an<l whci
that is completed those who cross will take up the jtursui;
As for their footmen, they have small chance of catcliin:
the Kel)u."

"Surely our men ought to retreat in good order, Jcthin
Scattere<l as tlu^y arc, they will be slaughtere<l in thousand^
bv the Kgviitian chariots."

"They c<Hild not oppose much resistance to them anyhow.
Jethro replied. "On a plain footmen cannot withstand ;;
chariot charge. As it is, many will doubtless fall ; but tlifv
will scatter to the right and left, numbers will reach the hill^
in safety, some will take refuge in woods and jungles, whih
many will outrun the chariots. The new causeway is narrow,
and a few only can cross al)reast, and thus, though many "i
our men will be overtaken and killed, 1 trust that tAe greater
part will escape."

"Let us draw up here for a short time, Jethro. I ?oi
there are several chariots and some horsemen behind, and a>
they are with the main body of the fugitives, they are doulit
less friends. Let us join them, and proceed in a body to tli-
town. 1 should not like to be the lirst to enter with the ncw^
of our defeat."

"You are right, prince. As our horses are good, we necl
not fear being overtaken. We can therefore wait a few
minutes."

A score of chariots presently came up, and all halted <in
seeing xVmuba. One of them contained Amusis, the chiet

WE MUST HASTKN.

L'l)

s father. A:
liiid him wa>

"But how i-

ro answei'di.
ts which tii-t
u'ln have li»;
pieces in tli.
ly, and wlin
) the pui'sui;
B of catcliiii:

)rcler, Jethin
in thousaii(l>

leni anyhow.

■\vitiistan<l ;.
all ; but tlicv
Eiach the hill^
angles, whilt'

ly is narrow,
ugh many "i
,t tXe greati'i

thro. I soi
lind, and ;b

sy are doulit
body to th'

ith the ncw^

od, we nceil
wait a few

1 halted '»ii
8, the chit'i

ijttiiti of the army. He leaped from liis chariot when he
iw Aimiha, and advanced to liini.

I'riiict'," lu; said, "why do you delay] I rejoice at see
'_' that you have escaped in the l)attle, for I marked you
•;i\.l\- ti-iitiiig in the midst; but let me beg you to
.-t.ii oil. A few minutes and the host of Iv.^vptian chariots
ill !».' upon us."

" I ;iin leady to proceed, Amusis, since you have come.
avf voii anv news of mv fatiier < "

"The king has been sorely woundetl," the general saiil,

.'Old was carrit'd otl" out of the battle; but come, prince, we

list hasten on. Our ])resence will be sorely needed in the

ty, aii<l we must get all in readine.ss for defence before the

Jgyptians arrive."

The chariots again staitcd, and reached tlie city without
flfciiiL: anything of the Kgyptiatis, who did not indeed arrive
fort! the walls until an hour later, having been delayed by
(• slaughter of the fugitives. As the party entered the
wii tliey found confusion and terror ])revailing. Th«^
i^iival of the body of the king was the first intimation of
Aisii^tcr, and this had been followed by several horsemen
fri'l chariots, who had spread the news of the defeat of the
iriiiy. The cries of women filled the air; some in their
iff and terror ran wildly here and there; some sat at
I'ir doors with their faces hidden by their hands, wailing
loudly; others tore their garments and behaved as if de-
Bl''litt'd.

< >ii their way to the palace they met the troops who had
hei'u left behind to guard the city, moving down stern and
lil'iit to take their places on the wall. During the di'i\e
l^ninsis, who had driven in Amul)a's chariot, had broken to
Ihr hoy the news that his father was dead, and Anud)a wau
j^ri[KUt'd for the loud lamentation of women wdiich met him
fs he entered the royal inclosure.

"I will see my mother," he said to Amusis, "and th>-i\ I
ill come down with you to the walls and will take what-

"THANK TIIK <:(H)S, MY SnN.

i!;i;li|

ever pnrt vou mav as'siVn mo iJi tlio «l('f(Mi('e. It is to \ o' ?
ex])«'rien(,M'. and valour we imist now trust."

"I will do all that 1 can, jtrinco. The walls arc stroii,
and if, as I hope, the uM'oatcr part of our army lind their u,\
buck, 1 trust we may l)e aide to defnid (»uiselves successful!,
aLjainst the Kirvptian host. vVssure your I'oval mother of in
deep sympathy for her in her sorrow, and of my devoti(.
to her personally."

The general now drove ofT, and Amuha enteretl tlie rn\ ,
dwellings. In the principal apartment the body of th(! kii.
was laid upon a couch in the middle of the room. TL-
queen stood heside it in silent grief, while the attendan*-
raised loud cries, wrung their hands, and tilled the air wit;
their lamentation, ndngled with praises of the character ;ii,
bravery of the king. Amuba advanced to his mother's sid.
She turned and threw her arms round him. i

"Thank the gods, my son, that you are restored to in
but what a loss, what a terrible loss is ours! "

" It is indeed, mother. No better father ever lived tli„:
mine. But I pray you, mother, 'ay aside \oui- grief foi
while; we shall liave time to weep and mourn for iiii
afterwards. We have need of all our courage. In a f'
hours the Egyptian hosts will be before our walls, and ever
arm will be needed for their defi-ncc. I am going down t
take my place among the men, to do what I can to encouia:
them; but the confusion in the city is terrible. None kiio'
whether they have lost husbands or fathers, and the ciir
and lamentations of the w^omen cannot but dispirit and di-
hearten the men. I think, mother, that yon might do nni'
if you would ; and I am sure that my father in his restiii.
place with the gods would far rather see you devoting \nii;
self to the safety of his peoi)le than to lamentations here.

"What would you have me do?"

"I should say, mother, mount a chariot and drive thr«m.
the streets of the town; bid the women follow the exain!
of their cjueen and defer their lamentation for the fa'i

,tj

A N(»1'.I.K KXAMIM.i:.

.11

It is to yo •

ills arc stmii.
tind tlu'ir w,

'I'.S succosfiil,.

1 niotlier of \i\
f my (Ic vol 111

oi'Cil the r«'\ ,
xly of tlu; kii.
ic room. 'I'L-
till' Httcmhiii'-
mI tlu; Jiir win
! cliaracter iiii
i mother's siil.

^stored to in

(ver livctl tli..:
Ill- !j;rief for
)urii for liii
^e. In a f' '
ills, and ever
oini; down t
I to encouia;:
. None kill'"
and the ( ri'-
sjiirit and di-
li'jrht do mil'
in his restiii.
levotinif vi'ii:
itions heir.

drive throu.
\v the exaiiii'
for the fall

* y

until the foe has been repelh-d. Hid eadi do her |>ait ni
till' (IcfciK'c itf the city; theif is work for all— stones to i»e
( arrit'tl to the walls, food to \h' eooked for tlu; fl:^ditin,i^ men,
hill' s t(t he pri'iiared in readiness to he carried to the ram-
|p;iit> when' the attack is hottest, to shield onr soldiers from
annus, in these and other tasks all can lind employment,
«iiil, ill thus working for the defence of the town, tlu; women
wniijil tind distiaction from their .soi-rows and anxieties."

" \'our advice is wise, Amuha, iind I will follow it. (Jrder
ii ( liariot to he hroni^ht down. iMy maidens shall come with
iiic; and see that two trumpeteis are in readiness to prece<le
us. This will ensuie attention and silence, an<l my words
will In- heard as we pass along. How did you escape from
till" coiitlict?"

"The faithful Jethro hore me ofT. mother, or I, too, should
h:.v(! fallen; and now, with your permission, I will go to the
wall."

"Do so, Aiuuba, and may the gods preserve you. You
must partake of some food before you go, for you will nee<l
all your strength, my son."

Amuha hastily ate the food that was j»laced before him
in aiiotluT a}»artment, and drank a goblet of wine, an<l then
hurried down to the wall.

Tlie scene was a heart rending one. All over the j)lain
Avrre scattered groups of men hurrying towai'ds the city,
while among them dashed the Kgyjitian chaiiot.s, overthi-ow-
inu ami slaving them ; but not without resistance. The Kebii
Will' well disciph'ned, and, as the chariots thundered up,
little grou]»s gathered together, shield overlaji[)ing shield.
and spears projecting, while those within the circle shot
their arrows or whirled stones from their slinus. 'I'he
huises wounded by the arrows often refused to obey their
, drivers, but rushed headlong across the ])lain ; otluirs chaiged
[up only to fall ])ierced with the spears, while the chariots
Were often empty of their occupants before they broke into
the phalanx.

IIOI'K KKSTOIIKI).

'I'lius, altlioiii^li many frll, inuiiy siircfMMlnd in ;jaiiiiii,'
the j^'alcs of tlio town, and the nunihcr of nirn availahlc lor
th(5 (h^tence had ah't-ady lari^rly incrcasiMl wlien Annili;i
reached the walls. Althou,ii;li tlie K^yptian chariots eann'
U|> in jzicat iuinih(MS, ni,Ljht fell without the apitearance u\
the main l»ody of the Kj^yptian army. After tlarkness set in
Ijjreat nnmheis of the Ivchii troops who had escaped to tlir
hills made their way into the town. The men of the eon
tin^ents furnished Itv tlu; other K'el)n cities natuiallv niinl.
tJM'ir way diiect to tlieii* homes, l)nt liefoi'e mornin.i,^ the si\
thousand luen left Ix'hind to i^uard the city when tin; ariiiv
set out had )>een swelled to foui' tim(!s their nund)eis.

AltlioULih this was little more than half the force wIm'cIi
liad marclied out to l)attle, the return of so larii^^ a nnnd)ci
of tlie fu*;itivea caused a gieat abatement of the ]»anie and
misery that had ])revailed. Tiu; women whose hushands oi
sons luid returned rejoiced over those whom tiiey had re
j:;ar(U»(l aslost, wiiile those whose fiiends had not yet returned
^aineil hopes from the nairatives of the fiesh comers tlmt
their loved ones might also hav(! survived, and would eir
long make their way back. The example of the queen hail
already done nuich to restore coiitidence. All knew tlir
afl'ection that existed between the king and her, and tlir
women all felt that if she could lay aside her deep sorrow.
an<l set such an exami)le of calmness and courage at such ;i
time, it behoved all others to set aside their anxieties and
to do their best for tlie defence of the town.

Amusis gave orders that all those who had returned frnm
battle should rest for the m'ght in their homes, the troop-
who had re!uained in the city keeping guard upon the w;dN,
[n the morning, however, all collected at the trum)>et-cali.
and were formed up according to the companies and batta-
lions to which they belonged. Of some of these which had
borne the brunt of the condtat there wave but a handful (U
survivors, while of others the greater portion were present;
weak battalions were joined to the strong, fresh otlicers wcir

Jidl

'iiiK (11 V OF Tin: i:i:i;u.

.".3

|a!)|>oint(Ml to take the plaro of tliosc who were missing; tho
arms wvi'ii exuminetl, and all dcticiencies made good from
till' iMiMic stores.

Tun tlion.sand men wen^ s.-t aside a^ a reserve to be

lliroiiu'lit up to the points most tlireatencil, while to the rest

Iwrri- allotted thosn portions of the wall which tliey were to

jo iiipy. As soon as moniiiiL; ltrok«; the women recoinmencrd

jtli'- uoik that had l)een intcrrnptt-d hy nij^dit, n)akin-; their

Iw.iv to tJK' walls in lowj, trains, carrvinLT baskets of stones

Ion tlirir heads. Disused houses were pulled <h)wn for the;

sake of their stones ami tiniher, parties of women with

(•pis draLTLM'nu' the latter to the walls in readiness to \h)

hurlc'l down up<»n the heads of the enemy. Kven tlie children

Hdiiied in the work, earrvini: small basl<<>ts of earth to those

^iortioiis of the Avail which Amusis had ordered to l)e

jtieiii^'theiied.

Tli(! position of the city had been chosen with a view tn

[(Itt'eiKf. h stood on a plateau of rock raised some litty feet

ihove the plain. The Caspian washed its eastj.'rn face; on

the other three sides a hiudi wall, composed of earth r(»UL;hly

faced with stones, ran aloiiLC at the e(lLje of the jdateau, above

jit, at iistances of tifty yards apart, rose towers. The entire

'irouiL of the walls was about three ndles. Since its foun-

lation hv the iriandfather of the late kin'' the town had

|liiVi'r been taken, althouj:;h sevei-al times besiei^'ed, and the

L'elm had strong liopes that liere, when the ch iriots of the

\UVptians were no longer to l)e feared, tlu-y could oppose

[a >uc cssful resistance to all the eiloits of the enemy.

At noon the Egyptiati army was seen advancing, and,
coiitident as the defenders of the city felt, they could not
resist a feeling of a})prehension at tho enormous force which
Was seen ujion the ];lain. Tlie Egyptian army was over
three hundriMl thousand strong. It moved in regular order
leoortling to the arms or nationalitv of the men. liere
vere Nubians, Sardinians, Etruscans, (Jscans, Dauni, Maxyes,
jKahaka a race from Iberia, and bodies of other mercenaries

(4S1) c

A MICH I Y ai;mv.

from ov(Ty tiilu! and peoiilo with whom the K<,'y|iti:uis lia^l
any (Icalin^s.

The Siirdiuiaiia bore rouml shjj^Ms, tlin-o or four spcai'
or javelin.s, a luiii; Ktiai.i;lit da^r.Ui'r, and a helmt't surmomui-.,
by a sjiiko, witl» a hall at the top. 'I'he Ktniscuris <:airi(!d n •
sliields, and instead of tlu; strai.i;ht (hij^'uer were armed with
u heav}' curved cho|»|>in<^-knife; their lirad-drcss rt'sendili'!
somewhat in shape that now worn by tlie Armenians. 'I'll,
Dauni W(!re (ireek in the ciiaraeter of their arms, carryinu ,i
round shield, a sinj^lo spear, a short straiglit sword, anti a
helmet of the shape of a cone.

The K^'yptians were divided accordin*^ to their arms
There were rc'^dments of archers, who carried, for close com
bat, a slightly-curved stick of heavy wood; other regiment'
of arcliers carried liatchets. The heavy infantry all bore tin-
Egyptian shield, which was about thrc«! feet long. It \v;i.«
widest at the upper j)art, where it was semicircular, whil,
the bottom was cut off straii^ht. The shields had a ln)s>
near the upper part. Some regiments carried, in additinh
to the spear.s, heavy maces, others axes. Their helmets aii
fitted closely to the head; most of them wore metal tassels
hanging from the top. The hehnets were for tht^ most part
made of thick material, quilted and padded; these were pre-
ferred to metal, being a protection from the heat of the sun,

Each company carried its own ' .uidard; these were all
of religious character, and represented animals sacred to tin.
gods, sacred boats, end)lematic device.s, or the names of tlir
king or (]ueen. These were in metal, and were raised at
the end of spiuirs or .staves. The standard-bearers were all
officers of approved valour. Behind the army followed an
enormous baggage-train; and as soon as this had arrived (m
the ground the tents of the king and the principal officoij
were pitched.

" What a host!" Jethro said to Amuba, who, after havin.'
his arm dressed on his arrival at the palace, had accompanicl
the young prince to the walls. *'lt seems a nation ratlur

liii'JLJ

TIIK ril.\N( i;s OF |»Kli:\rK

.15

,«,'ypti!iiis lial ^ ^li,j,i jjjj ^riny. T <1'» not womlcr now that wo wore dofratt'tl

^ \t"tt ril;iy, l»iit tluit we so loiiu' lifld our {ground, liud tliut so
T four s|i(ai'

itsurniDUiitf,

iiII8 Cat'l'itMl ||n

iiiint'il with

L'SS It'SL'Ullilt'ii

iciiiaiis. Till
118, carryiiiLj i
sword, and a

liiaiiv rs('a|it'd fpntii tlio liattlf. "

" It is wdinlci tul, tridy, .li'tliro. Look at tlui loiij; line of
r!i;iii"ts ni(»\iii^' ill as regular uidcr us tlio footnu-n. It is
wfll fitr IIS tliat (liry will now Itu fcu'ccil to lio inactive. As
t(( tilt' nflicrs, altliniii.di tlu-y arc countless in luimlx'rs, tlicy
cannot do much against our walls. No towers that thcv

) their arin^
for <-lose e<»iii
lier reL,'iniejit'
y all i)ore tln'

loil!'. It W;i«

ireular, whilr

s liad a h'is.

1, in athlitioii

r liehnets nl,

metal tasst'l.

li(^ most })ai!

ese were }>rr-

it of the sun.

lese were all

sacred to tin

ames of tin

re raised at

rers wen^ all

followed ail

d arrived on

cipal office!?

after haviiiL'
nccompaiiiiM
ation ratiiir

cm erect upon tin- jdains will j>lace tliem on a level with us
li. ic, and the rock is so steep that it is only here and there
that it can he climhed."

"It wniild seem impossihle for them to take it, ])rinco;
Tiiit we must not he too conlidcnt. W«; know that many
tu\vii>; whi(;h helievcsd theinstdves imprei^'iuihle have Ihtii
captured hy tlie Iv;yptians, and must h(> prej>ared for the
most daring enterprises. 'I'lu; ,L;ates have lu-en already
fastened, and so Ljieat a thickness of rocks piled airainst them,
iliat they are now the strongest part of the wall; those |iarts
of the roads leading; uj) to them that were forme(l of timher
have hcen hurned, and they cannot now reach the j^'ates ex-
cejit hy climhinj^, as at other points. We have pr»>visions
enoiiLrh to last for wcll-ni}.,di a year, for all the harvest has
heen hrou:j;ht in from tlie whole district round, toLjether with
many thousands of cattle; of wells there are ahundance."

" V( s, I heard the preparations that were l»ein,t,' made,
.'etiiro, and douht not that if we can resist the first on-
slaiiudit of the KLTvptians we can hold out far Ioniser than
they can, for the ditiieulty of victuallinir so huLre an army will
he immense. In what way do you think they will attack?
For my part I do not see any method which otl'ers a hope

of success."

"That I cannot tell you. We know that to us and to tlie
j>eoj)les around our cities .seem impre<;nahl6. But the Ki;y))-
tiaiis are skilled in all the devices of war. They havt; laid
siei^e to and captured great numhers of cities and are
dcuhtless full of plans and expedients of which we know

A SfH.KMN (JOI'NCH.

iiotliini:. Ilowevor, to-morrow inorniii'' will show us soi

IM'

•;'i

thiri!

Nothing will bo att(Mnj»ted to-(lay. 'I'iie gt'iu-i

have first to inspect our wull-s and see where the assault i>
to be delivered, and the army will be given a day's rest at
least before being tailed upon to assault such a position."

In the afternoon a cortege of chariots made the circuit it
the walls from the shore of the sea round the great plateau
to th

>t b

1 th

10 sea agaui, keeping just beyond tlie ranue or arrows.

" If we Iwnl but a few of their archers here," Jethro saiil,
"the Egyptian king would not be so over bold in ventiuiiiL:
so near. It is wonderful how strongly they shoot. Tlitii
arrows have fully dou1)le the range of ours, and their pow<r
is sullicient to carry them through the strongest shields, e\('"
when strengthen«<l with !netal. Had I not seen it I shoiijil
have thought it impossible that living men, and those im
bigg<!r or stronger than we, could have sent their arrows
with such power. They stand in a dillerent attitude to tlia:
of our archers, and though their shafts are fully a foot longer
than ours they draw them to the head. I legarded myself
as a good bowman till I met the Egyj)tians, and now I feel a>
a child might <lo when watching a man performing feats of
strength of which he had not even imagined a possibility.

In the evening the great council met. It included all tlie
principal otHcers of the army, the priests, the royal coiui
cillors, and the leading men in the state. After a discussion
it was determined that in the i)r('sent cri.sis it were best to
postpone taking any steps to ap})oint a successor to the late
king, but that so long as the siege lasted Amusis should lie
endowed with absolute powers. In order tli'it- there sho.ilil
be no loss of time for the necessity of consulting anyone
Amuba was presert with his mother at the council, though
neither of them took any active part in it. P)Ut at it.^
commencement an announcement was made in their name
that they were willing to abide by whatever the council
should decide, and that indeed both mother and son desired
that while this terrible danger hung over the state the

isupreiij
[ever t
H to takd
.m iliati
:|| fuiicral
have t;|
the >ca
muiiarcj

their [>i\
earth.
must >a
1 ot the :
»i llj)'i!l th
to lay t
fatliers,
the royi
and son
the aslu
was dcsl
si-ht (tf
pruHiont
Kaily
walls ca
* reachcid
a:j:ailist
airhers,

ilefellde
jiart fel
iilion tl
short di
footnier
to the f
arrows <

" Wl:

clailiieil
' .lelhi

CREMATION OF THE KINO.

su|ii'ome power should be i)laced in the hands of 'vhoniso-
ovt'i' the general voice might select as the person best litted
to take the coinniand in such an extremity.

That night the body of the king was consumed on a great
fuiHTiil pile. Under ordinary occasions the ceremony would
have taken place on a narrow i)romontory jutting out into
the >ea, about five miles from the city. Here the i)revi()us
iiiiiiKirehs had been consumed in sight of a multitude of
tlicir people, and had been buried beneath great mounds of
I earth. The priests had long ago j)ionounced this place the
must sacred in the kingdom, and had declared thi^t the anger
of the gods would fall niton any who ventured to set foot
U[) .n tlie holy ground. IJut it was impossible for the present
t(i lay the ashes of the king by the side of those of his fore-
fathers, and tlie ceremony was therefore conducted within
tlu- royal inclosure, oidy the odiciating priests and the wife
and sun of the deceased being present. \Vhen all was over
the ashes were collected and were placed in a casket, which
was destined, when bettei- times returned, to be hiid, in the
siirht (»f the whole people, in the sacred inc'osure on the
Iirotiiontory.

Karly next morning the trum})ots of the guards on tlie
walls called all the troops to arms. As soon as Anudta
rrach(;(l his post he saw the Egyptian army niarching
a-ainst the city, ^^'hen they arrived within low-shot the
aivhers, who formed the front lines, opened vire U)>on the
ili'ft'iiders on the walls. Tlieir arrows, however, for the most
part fell short, while those of the besieged rained down
'ipon them with eflect. They Mere therefore withdrawn a
sJKirt distance, and contracting their ranks a vast nund)er of
footmen poured through, and in irregular order ran forward
to the foot of the rock, where they were sheltered from the
arrows of those on the wall.

"What car. they be going to do now?" Anudja ex-
claiin('(l, laying aside his bow,

.lelhro ^llouk his head.

SCALING THE ROCK.

"They are working Avith a plaiij" he said. " We shall see
before very long. Listen."

Even above tlie din caused by so vast a multitude a sharp
metallic sound was presently heard like that of innumerable
haninierc st-iking on steel.

" Surely," Ainuba exclaimed, " they can never bo thinking
of (piarrying the rock away! That is too great a task even
were the whole people of Kgypt lu-ie."

"It certainly is not that," .lethro agreed; "and }et I
cannot think what else can be their intentions."

It was nigh an hour before the n)y.stery was solved.
Then, at the blast of a trumpet sounded at the post
where the Egyjitian king had placed himself, and taken up
along the whole of the line, a great number of heads aj)-
j)eared along the edge of rock at the foot of the walls.
The Egyptians had been employed in driving s))ikes in the
crevices o. the I'ock. Standing on the first so driven, they
then inserted others three feet higher, and so had proceeded
until a number of men had climbed up the face of the rock.
These let down ropes, and ladders had been hauled up the
steepest places. dJreat numbers of ropes were hung down to
assist those who followed in the ascent, and the men who first
showed thems«3lves over the brow were followed by a stream
of others, until the ledge, which was in most cases but a few
feet wide, was crowded with soldiers.

The ladders were now hauled up and placed .against the
wall, and the Egy tians swarmed up in great numbers; but
the Rebu were prepared for the assault, and a storm of
stones, beams of wood, arrows, javelins, and other missiles
rained down on the Egyptians. Many of the ladders, in spite
of the number of men upon them, were thrown back by the
defenders, and fell with a crash over the edge of the rock to
the plain below^ Here and there the Egyptians gained a
footing on ii.i wall before the Kebu had recovered from
their first surprise at their daring mani'er of .ittack; 1 ut so
soon as they rallied they attacked the Egyptians with such

A FOOTHOLD OBTAINED.

We shall see

tude a sharp
innumerable

bo thinking
a task even

*and }et I

ivas solve;!.
,t the post
d taken up
f Iieads ap-
the walls,
)ikes in the
[riven, they
1 proceeded
)f the rock,
ded up the
ng down to
Ml who first
)y a stream
3 but a few

igainst the
rubers; but

storm of
er missiles
;rs, in spite
ack by the
;he rock to

gained a
ered from
ck; I'Ut so
with such

fiiiy that in every case the latter were slain fighting or were
thrown ov«m* the eiiibattlements.

For several hours the p]gyptians continued their etVorts,
l)Ut after losing vast numbers of men without obtaining any
success they were recalled by the sound of the trumpet.

"That has not been very seii<nis, dethro," Amuba said,
wi|iiiig the perspiration from his forehead: for he had been
encouraging the men by assisting in the lifting and casting
over the massive stonos and beams of wood.

"It was not difficult to repulse tliem under such condi-
tiotis," JeJiro said; "but the numner of their attack was a
surj)rise indeed to us, and they have fought with the
gicutest bravery. You will see that the next time they
will have benefited by the lesson, and that we shall have
"^.ome nev/ device to cope with. Now that they have once
found a way to scale the rock we may expect but little rest."

The fight was not renewed untd evening, when, just as
darkness fell, a large number of the Egyptians again as-
cended the rock. As before, the Kebu poured missiles down
upon them; but this time only a sullicient number had
climbed up to be able to stand along close to the foot of the
wall where they were to a great extent sheltered from the
missiles from above. The night was a dark one, and all
ni^ht long the Rebu continued to shower down missiles upon
their invisible foe, of whose continued presence they were
assured by the sounds which from time to time were heard.

When davlicrht enabled the defenders to see what was
goin.; on at the foot of their walls they raised a shout of
surj)rise and dismay. During the night the Egyptians had
hoisted up by ropes a quantity of the timber brought with
them for the construction of shelters for those who were
engaged on siege operations. The timbers were all cut and
l)repared for fitcing together, and were easily jointed e\ en
in the dark. Thus then, when the besiegers looked over,
they saw fort}'' or fifty of these shelters erected against the
f'ot of their walls. They were so formed that they sloped

UNDKFINED TEAIIS.

down liko a pent-liouse and were tliickly covered witli
hides.

The besie_iL,^cd soon found that so solid were tliese con-
structions tiiat tljo beams and i^icat stones wiiieh tlicv
dropped upon tlieni siin])ly ))ound(Ml otl' and h'ai)t <hj\vn into
tlie j)lain. Tia(hh;rs t'aslene<l touctlier iiad l)cen iixed h}' tlic
l^jj^vptians from each <tf these slieltcis to tlie ])lain Im'Iow, sd
tliat the men at work could be relieved or reinforced as tlu'
occasion reciuirctl.

In vain the besieged sliowered down missiles, in vain
poured over tlie (;auldi'ons of boiling oil the}' had prepared
in readiness. The sti-ength of the beams delied the first,
the hides lap])ing over each other prevented the second fioni
peneti'ating to those below.

"Truly these ai'e tcriible foes, jirince," Jethro said. "I
told 3'ou that we might exjiect new plans and devices, but
I did not think that the very day after the siege began avc
should find that they had overcome all the dilliculties of oui'
natural defences, and should have established themselves in
safety at the foot of our walls."

"J5ut what is to be done, Jethrol The men working in
tliose shelters will siJecdily dislodu^e these stones facing the
walls, and will then without dillicultv dig through the earth-
work behind."

" The matter is serious," Jethro agreed; " l)ut as yet theie
is no reason to alarm ourselves. The greater portion of our
tioops will be assembled behind the wall, and should the
Kg} I>tians gain a way through we sliould pour in at the
openings, and, as they can br only reinforced slowly, would
speedily hurl them all over the edge of the clitF. It is not
that T fear."

" Wliat is it that you do fear, Jethro?"

"I fear, ])rince, because I do not know what it is I have
to fear. We are as children in a struggle of tin's kind as
opposed to the Kgvptlans. Already they have Avholly over-
thrown all our calculations, and it is just because I do not

A MVSTEUY.

know what tlioy will do next that I am afraid. It must ha
a« j'ltiiii to them as it is to us, that if they <lig through the
wuils wo shall rush ift and overpower them."

•*rerli;;|»s they intend to work right and left and to under-
iiiino the walls, until large portions of them tundjle over and
brcaclu's are made."

-Ii'thio shook his head.

'•That would destroy the Egyptian slicltcrs and bury their
wurknie!i; or, even did they manage to retire before the
walls fell, they would gain nothing by it. In fact, 1 wish that
we ourselves could tumble the walls over, for in that case
the hcaj) of earth and stones would rise from the very edge
of the lock, and as the Egy[)tians could only climb up in
small munbers at a time, we could destroy them without
(litliciilty. I see now that our builders made a mistake in
sunouuding the citv with a high wall; it would have been
licst to have built a mere breastwork at the very edge; of the
clitl" pll round. Here comes Anmsis; we shall hear what
his opinion of the nuitter is."

Anuisis looked flushed and anxious, although, when he saw
the prince, he assunuMl an expression of carelessness.

"ihe Egyptians are going to burrow thi'ough our walls,"
he saitl; " but when they do we will drive them like rats out
of the holes. Do you not think so, JethroT'

"I do not know," Jethro said gravely. "If they ""dig
tliiough our walls we shall certainly, as you say, drive them
out of their holes; but I cannot believe that that is what
tliev are going to do."

" AVhat do you think they are going to do?" Amusis asked
roughly.

"I have no idea, Amusis. I wish that I had; but I am
• I'lite suie that they haven't taken all this trouble for
iiotliini:."

4:&

A FALSE CONFIDENCE.

CIIAPTEU IIL

CAPTlVi:^

SO confident were the liebu that if the Egyi)tians dug
tlirougli their walls, or even threw them down In-
undermining them, tlicy could repel their assault, that tliey
took but little heed to the huts established at the foot of
the wall, exc(q)t that a strong body of men were stationed
behind the walls, lialf of whom were always to be undt-r
arms in readiness to repel the Egyptians should they bur-
row through. This confidence proved their ruin. The
Egyjttians were thoroughly accustomed to mining opera
tions, and were fully aware that were they to pierce the
wall the Kebu could at once overwhelm the small workiii!:
parties; they therefore, after penetrating a considerable dis
tance into the embankment, drove right and left makini:
an excavation of considerable size, the roof being supported
by beams and planks haule<l up at night.

The number of those employed in the work was increased
as fast as there was room for them; and, while the Kehu
thought that there were at most a dozen men in each of the
siieltered places, there were, at the end of twenty-four hours,
fully two hundred men at work in the heart of the embank-
ment at each point. The Egyptian king had ordered the
chief of his engineers to have everything in readiness for the
capture of the city by the end of the third day.

Each night the numbers of workmen increased, while the
excavations were carried in further and further. No picks
were used in the work, the earth being cut away with widf
daggers. Absolute silence was enjoined among the workers,
and they were thus enabled to extend their excavations close
to the surface without the defenders having an idea
of their proximity. The distance that they were from tiie

A NILIUT SUUI'KISE.

inner face was ascertained by boring through at niglit-time
with speurs. By the end of the third day the excavations
liail ))t'L'n cariied so far tliat ttiere was but a foot or so of
t';iitli remaining, this being kept from moving, on pressure
fioni the outside, by a lining of boards supported by beams.
Thus at twenty points the Egyptians were in readiness to
hiH-st through among the unsuspecting defenders.

As soon as it was dark the preparations for the assault
Ik'umh. (ircat nun)l)ers of stagings of vast length liad been
]nvparcd, together with an immense number of broad and
infty ladders. These last were brought forward noiselessly
to the foot of the cliff, and great numbers of the Egyptians
mounted before the alarm was given by those on the walls.
Hut by this time the excavations were all crowded with men.
Till' Egyptian army now advanced with shouts to the assault.
The greiit stages were brought forward by the labour of
thousands of men and j)laced against the cliff.

The besieged had now rushed to defend the walls, and
volleys of missiles of all sorts were poured down upon the
Egyptians as they strove to mount the ladders and stages.
No one thought of any possible danger from the little shelters
lying at the foot of the wall, and the din was so great that
the work of diuirin'' through the remainins; wall of earth was
unheard. The troops who had been s})ecially told ofli' to
\v;itch these jmints had joined their comrades on the walls,
and none marked the stream of dark figures which presently
h('<:an to pour out from the embankment at twent}- difli'erent
points.

At last the besieged, whose hopes were rising as the
Egyptians appeared to falter under the showers of missiles
poured down, were startled by the sound of a trumpet in
their rear — a sound which was answered instantly from a
score of points. Kushing with cries of dismay lo the back
of the rampart, they saw dark bodies of footmen drawn up
in regular order, and a rain of arrov/s was opened upon them.
The Rebu, without a moment's hesitation, rushed down to

A TEHKinLE CONFLICT.

attack the foos wlio had gained a footiiiLT, they scarce knew
liow, in their fortress. Hut each of the Iv^yptian eoni|Kinir,s
was four hundied stiong, composed of |iicl\ed troojis, ami
these for a time easily beat oil the irregular attacks of the
Rel)U.

Aniusis and the other leaders of the Rehu strove to utt
tlieir men into solid order, for so alone could they hope tn
hreak the phalanxes of the Egyptians; hut the confusion was
too great. In the meantime the Egyptians outside had taken
advantage of the diversion created ]jy the attack within, ajid
l>oured up their ladders and stagings in vast numbers. Soint'
dragging up ladders after them planted them against the
walls, others poured through by the ])assages which had been
dug, and these, as soon as they were numerous enough, as-
cended the embankments from behind and fell upon the
liebu still defending the wall.

Never did the tribesmen tight with greater bravery; but
the comj)Ieteness of the surprise, the number of the Egyptians
who had established themselves in their rear, the constant
pushing in of reinforcements both through and over the wall,
rendered it impossible for them to retrieve their fortunes;
and in the confusion and darkness they were unable U>
distinguish friend from foe. The various battalions and
companies were hopelessly mixed together; the orders of
their leaders and otlicers were uidieard in the din.

Upon the Egyptian side everything had been carefully
planned. One of the comi)anies which first entered had
made their way quietly along the foot of the wall, and were
not noticed until they suddenly threw themselves upon the
defenders of one of the gates. As soon as tliev had obtained
possession of this great liies were lighted, and a large body
of Egyptian troops, headed by engineers carrying beams and
planks, advanced. The gaps across the roadway were bridged
over, and the Egyptians poured in at the gate before the Rebu
could dislodge the party which had taken possession of it.
KvfTV moment added to the confusion of the scene. To the

WAITINC KOI? M(»i:MN(}.

4r^

IJpltii it socrnod as if their foes were spriiij^iin; from the very
(Ml til ii|ion them, ami, despairing of reguiniiiL; the j^^roiiml
that li;ul hcen lost, they bcLCun to break away and make
some f(»r their homes, "nmo for the water face of the city —
the only one which was oi)en to them, for the Egyptians were
ii((\v pressing forward from the three other faces of the town.
The l)oats Iving along the sand were quicklv crowded with
fui tivrs and pushed off from shore, and those who arrived
hitrr found all means of esca[)e gone. Some threw down
their arms and made their way to their homes, others ran
lta( k to meet the Egyptians and <lie fighting.

It was some hours before the contlict ceased, for the
Egyptians too were confused with the darkness, and many
ilt'spcrate fights took place between dillerent battalions be-
f()i(! tliey discovered they were friends. Light was gained
by tiring numb(!rs of the houses lying nearest to the walls;
hut as soon as the Egyptians advanced beyond the arc of
li^^ht they were fiercely attacketl ])y the licbu, and at last
the tr'-.inpct sounded the order for the troops to remain in
th(! positions they occupied until daylight.

As soon as morning brok(^ a vast crowd of women were
seen advancing from the centre of the town. As they neared
the Egyptians they threw themselves on the ground witli
loud cri(!S for mercy. There was a pause; and then some
Kuyptian officers advanced and bade a score of the women fol-
low them to the presence of the king. Thotmes had entered
with the troops who made tbeir way into the city by the
LMte, but yielding to the entreaties of 'Jie officers that he
would not expose himself to be killed in the confusion, per-
iuqis by an arrow shot by his own sohliers, he had retired
to the plain, and had just returned to take part in the
occupatiim of the city.

The Kebu women were led to him over yround thicklv
covered with dead. Fully half the defenders of the city had
fallen, while the loss of the Egyptians had been almost as
large. The women threw themselves on their faces before

SI'RMISSION.

the j^reat monarch and implorod nuTfy for thomsolvcs, th<'ir
children, an . the roninant of th(3 nien of tlio city.

Thotmcs was well satisHiMl. He iiad cujitured a city whir h
was regarded as impregnable; he had crushed the people
who had inflicted defeats ui)on his ])revlecessors; he IkkI
added to his own glory and to tlie renown of the Egyptian
aims. The disposition of the Kgyptiiins was lenient. Hiiniim
sacrifices were unknown to their religion, and tliey do not
appear at ariy time to have slain in cold Mood cai)tiv<!s taken
in war. Human life was held at a far higher value in Kgypt
than among any other nation of antifpiity, and the whole
teaching of their laws tended to create a disposition towards
mercy.

An interpreter translated to the king the words of the
women.

"Has all resistance ceased?" the king asked. "Have all
the men laid down their arms?"

The women exclaimed that there was not now an armed
man in the city, all the weapons having been collected dur
ing the night and jdaced in piles in the open space in front
of the entrance to the i)alace.

"Then I give to all their lives," the king said graciously.
"When I fight with cowards I have little mercy upon them,
for men who are not brave are unfit to live; but when I
fight with men I treat them as men. The Kebu are a valiant
people, but as well might the jackal fight with the lion as
the Rebu oppose themselves to the might of Egypt. They
fought bravely in the field, and they have bravely defended
their walls; therefore I grant life to all in tha city — men,
women, and children. Where is your king?"

" He died in the battle four days since," the women replietl.

"Where is your <|ueen?"

" She drank poison last night, preferring to join her hus-
band than to survive the capture of the city."

Thotrtnes had now ordered the whole of the inhabitants
to be taken out to the plain and kept there under a guard.

TIFF K<iYITIAN DKMANPS.

The towr. was \\u\n luctlKxlically searclied and evorythiiig
(if valiio broiii^ht togctlier. Tiio kin^u; set aside a certain
]i(.rtii»n of the •.•[oiden vessels for the services of the Temple,
SMiiie lie chttse for himself, and after presenting others to
his generals, ordered the rest to bo <Iivitled among the
troops, lie then ordeied a !mndre«l captives — fifty }(>ung
iiit'ii and tifty maidens of the iiighest rank — to ])e seletjted
to \h' tiilvcn to Ki,'y|)t as slaves, atid then fixed tlie trihuto
which the llebu were in future to pay. The army then
(•vu<iiat('(l the city and the iidial)itant8 were permitted to
return.

The next day messengers arrived from the other Kebu
towns. The fall of the capital, which had been believed to
lit' iiii|)r('gnal)le, after so slioit a siege had struck terror into
tilt' minds of all, and the messengers brought oilers of sub-
mission to the king, with promises to pay any tribute that
he might lay upon them.

The king, well satisfied with his success and anxious to
return to Kgypt, from which he had been absent nearly two
years, replied graciously to the various deputations, inform-
ing tiieni that he had already fixed the tribute that the
nation was to pay annually, and ordered a contribution to
jje sent in at once oy each city in proportion to its size. In
a few days the retpiired sums, partly in money, i)artly in
vessels of gold, embroidered robes, and other articles of
value, were brought in. When the full amount had been
received the camp was struck and the army started on tlieir
long march back to Egypt, an officer of high rank being left
as governor of the newly-captured province, with ten thousand
men as a garrison.

Amnba was one of the fifty selected as slaves. Amusis had
escaped in the confusion, as had many others. Jethro was
also one of the selected band. Amuba was for a time care-
less of what befell him. The news of tlie death of his
tnother, which liad met him as, after fighting to the last, he
I'turned to the palace, had been a terrible blow, following

A LAST MKSSACK.

US it (lid so closely upoii ihe loss of liis tutlinr jind the over-
throw of tli(! ii;iti(Hi. Ills iin)rli('r IkhI Ictt tlu? mcssiii^n for
him that, aitlioii^h as lift; had no Ioniser a ciiai'iii for her, she
jtrof'THMl doatli to the hiiniiliatioii of being canicd a piisoiicr
to Kgypt, sho trusted tiiat he would luiar the inisfortuiics
whicii iiad fallen on him and his people with suhmission ami
p:itienc(*; he was young, and there was no -saying what the
future had in store for him.

" V'ou will douhtless, my son," were tlw^ words of liri
message, "he carried away eaptivc; into Mgypt, hut you may
yet escape souk; day and rejoin 3'our people, or may meet
with some lot in which Mm mav find eontent!uent or even
liap|tin(!ss theie. At any late my last words to you are, Ikmi
patiently whatever may hefall you, rememher always tli;r
your father was King of the h'eliu, and, whatever your
station in life may he, try to he worthy of tin; raidc t^
wliicli you were horn. Thiue is no greater liapi)iness on a
throne than in a cottage. Men Uiake their own happine»,
and a man may be respected even though only a slave
May th(! gods of your country preside over and protect you
always."

The message was delivered by an old woman who hail
been with the (pieen since her birtli, and, struck down with
grief as Amuba was at his mothei's death, In^ yet acknow
ledged to himself that even this loss was less hard to bear
than the knowledge that she who had been so loved and
honoured by the people should undergo the humiliation ef
being dragged a slave in the train of the conquering Kgyj^
tians. He was, however, so prostrate with grief that he
obeyed with indilVcrence the order to leave the city, and was
scarcely moved when the Egyptian oflicor appointed to makf
the selection chose him as one of the party that were to be
taken as slaves to Egypt.

Prostrate as he was, however, he felt it to be a satisfaction
and comfort when he found that .Jetiiro was also of the i)ai ty
set aside.

.IKTIIKos l'IIIlA)S(U'HY.

4'.»

"It IH srlfish, .Icthro," ho sai<l, "for nic to ffol ^hul tliat
roil tno are to he «lra;_'ge<l away as a slavf, hut it will he
•.Tfut coiiifort to liave you with lue. 1 know ahnost ah
[lie ntlitds of th(^ jtarty, l»nt to none shall 1 he ahle to talk
)t iiiv futlicr an«l mother ami my homo here as 1 should to
,-(tii wlioHi 1 have known so loni;."

"I am not sorry that I have l)een chosen," .lethro sai<l,

f'for I liave no family ties, and now that the K'ehu are a

r<iii(|uenHl j)eo|»lo 1 sliouM have little satisfaction in my

lite liere. When we i^et to Ku'ypt \V(! shall prol-ihly he

)ic|iaratc<l, hut there is a march of months' duration hefore

IS, ami dnrin.u that time we may at least he to|i;other; since,

tlit'ii. my heini,' with you is as you say, prince, u comfort to

111, I am well content that I have Iteen chosen. I thouL^ht

it a liiird tliiiej; when my v.ife dietl hut a few weeks after

iir iiiiin iai^'c. Now I rejoice that it was so, and that 1 can

leave witlujut anyone's heart heing wrun^ at my d(!|»aiture.

iOii and i, piince, perliMits of all those chosen will fecil the

lc;i>t misery at the fate that has hefallen us. Most of those

here are leavin.i; wives and children hehind; some of the

lyuiuiucst are still unmariied, hut they have fathers and

jliiotliers from whom they will he sefuirated. Therefore, let

|ii> IK it l»emoa»i our lot, for it mii;ht have heen wtu'se, and

jour lite Ml Ku'yi)t may not he wholly unhearahle."

"Tl'.iit is just what my dear mother said, Jethro," Anuiha
|rcjtlicil, repeatini; the message the (jueen had sent him.

''My dtar mistress was right," Jethro said. "We may
|<iii<l happiness in Kgypt as elsewhere; and now let us try to
cheer up our comj>anions, for in cheering them wo shall
Ihuu'et our own misfort'ines."

•lethro ami Amuha winit among the rest of the captives,
lii'.o.-^t of whom were jtrostrated with grief, and did their hest
[to rouse them from their stupor.

" The Kgyjitians have seen that the Kehu are men in the
ti'l'l," Amuha said to some of them. "Let them see that
i^^c can also hear misfortune like men. (jirievhig will not

(■isi ) D

A LONG JOUKNEY.

mitigate our lot, nay, it will add to its burden. If tlie
Egyptians see that we bear our fate manfully they will huvf
far more compas.-ion upon us tiian if they see that we lio
moan ourselves. Itcniemlxir v.e have a long and toilsome
journey before us, and shall need all our strength. Aftt-r
all the hardship of our lot is as nothing to that of llitj
women yonder. We are accustomed to exercise and toil.
but the journey, which we can support as well as the Egyp-
tians, will be terrible to them, delicate in nature as they
are. Let us therefore et them an e\'ami)le of courage aiiil
l)atience, let us bear ourselves as men whose sutlering h
unmerited, who have been conquered but not disgraced.
who are prepared to defy fat;; and not to succumb to it."

Amuba's words had i\ great efl'ect upon the captives.
They regarded him with resjtect as the son ()f their hitr
king, and as one who woultl hav«. been king himself li;ul
not this misfortune misfillen theui; and Ids calmness umi
manl^ speech encouraged them to stri'e against their giiti
and to look their fate more ho})efulIy in the face. As loiii:
as the army remained in camp the hands of the captives
were tied behind them, but when the march was bcijrun tlicv
were relieved of their bonds and were pla-jed in the centiv
of one of the Egvi)tian regiments.

It was a long and tedi('US journey. On the M-ay the train
of captives Avas very largely increased by those who had been
taken in the earlier coiH|Uests of tlu; army, and who had been
left in charge of the troops told oil' to tin; various ]»roviii
brought into subjection by tlie Egyptians until the aii

CCS

IIV

ts h

•Ji. [

rovisions

ha.l

passed tnrongn on its homeward marc
been every when^ collected to sujtply it on its })i'ogress, and
as the distance tra\ci'sed each di:y was small the captive-
sutlered but little until they entered upon the ])assage nt
the desert tract between the southern point of Syria ami
the mouth of the Nile.

Here, although vast niumtities of water were carried

the train of the army, the supply given to the captives was

rden. If the
tliby will hav,.
e that we hr

and toilsome
^'ngth. Aft.T
) that of tliM
■ci.se and toil,

as the Kuvji
iture as tlirv
' courage hm
- sii fieri n^ i-
ot disgrace 1.
mib to it."
the captives
of tlieir lati'

liimself had
■ahnness ami
■t their gi'iti
-0. As luii^::
tlie caj)ti\(N
^ begun they
ti the cent IV

ay the train
ho had ])cru
ho had been
IS provinocs
1 the aiiny
visions had
■ogress, aii(i
he captives
])assage nf
►Syria ami

carried in
il)tives was

481

THK UKIIl' I'KUI'l.E LEU INTO CAmVITY,

IN EGYIT.

r)i

extremoly small, and as the sun blazed down with trc-
iiicndoiis heat, and tliey were lialf siitlo'-'ated by the dust
wliicii rose i.i clouds under the feet of the vast l)ody of men,
thi'ir sutrerin<i;s were very severe. The ]vebu captives had
piiiied the lespect of the tvoops who escorted them by
tlicir manly bearing and the absence of the manifestations
(»t urief wiiich were betrayed by most of the other captives.
The regiment Avas composed of Lybian meicenarics, hardy,
tutiv" men, inured alike to heat an<l fatigue.

During the three months which the march had occupied,
Ainuba and detliro, and indeed most of the ca})tives, had
acquired some knowledge of the Egyptian language. Jethro
had from the first imjmissed upon the young })nnce the
ureat advantage this would be to them. In the first ])lace it
would divejt their thoughts from dwelling upon the ))ast,
and in the second it would make their lot more bearable in
iv4\pt.

" \'ou must remember," ho .-aid "that we shall be slaves,
and masters are not patient with their slaves. They give
them orders, and if the order is not understood so nuich
the worse for the slaves. It will add to our value, and
therefoi'e obtain for us better treatment, if we are able to
converse in their tonuue."

Amuba was thankful indeed when the gray monotony
of the desert was succee<led by the bi'ight verdure of the
]ihiins of Egypt. As tliey enteied the huid the order in
which they had nuirthed was clianged, an<l the long line of
raptives followed immediately after the chaiiot of the king.
Kuril of them was laden with a portion of the sjioil taken
tiuiii their native country. Aiauba bore on his head a huge
golden vase which had been u^ed in the ceremonies of the
t'Mii})le. Jethro carried a r^^u helmet and armour whicli had
klouircd to the king.

The first city they entered Anuiba was astonished at the
Jiiassive splendour of the buildings and at the signs of corn-
tot t and wealth which everywhere met his eye. The streets

5-J

STRANGE FKJUUKS.

were tlirongcd v/ith ])eoj)le who, bending to tlie groinxl,
shouted their acclaniatiuho a;; tlie king passed along, and wlio
gazed witli interest and surpri. e at the long j)roces.sion of
eaptives re})iesenting the vaiious nations who had been sub-
jected to his arms. Most of all he was suri)rised at tlic
t('inj)les with their long avenues of sphinxes, the giganti(
figures n^prcsenting the gods, the rows of massive pilhiis,
the majesty and grandeur of the edifices themselves.

"How were they built, Jethro?" he exclaimed over and
again. "How were these massive stones ])laced in order?
How did they drag these huge figures across the plains]
AVhat tools could they have used to carve them out of the
solid granite]"

"I am afraid, Amuba," Jethro said grimly, for the lad
had positively forbidden him to address him any longer as
prince, saying that such title addresseul to a slave M'as no
better than mockery, "we are likely to learn to our cost
before long how they manage these mai-vels, for marvels
they assuredly are. It must have taken the strength of
thousands of men to have transjmrted even one of these
strange figures, and although the ])eople themselves may
have a\ded in the work, you may be sure the slaves bore
the brunt of it."

" But what is the meaning of these figures, Jethrol Surelv
neither in this country nor in any other are there creatures
with the faces of women and the bodies of lions and great
wings such as these have. Some, too, liave the faces of
men and the bodies of bulls, while others have Iieads lilvc
birds and bodies like those of men."

"Assuredly there can be no such creatures, Amuba; aii<i
I wonder that a people so enlightened and wise as tiic
Egyptians should chose such strange figures for their gods.
1 can only suppose that these figures represent tlieir attri
butes rather than the gods themselves. Do you see, the
human head may represent theii- intelligence, the bodies of
the lions or bulls their strength and power, the wings of the

MEMPHIS.

1)inl tlioir swiftness. I do not know that it is so, Imt it
Mciii.s to me tluit it is })ossil)le that it may be sonietliiiig of
this sort. We cannot but allow that their gods are powerful
siiKM! they give them victory over all other j)ej|>le; but no
(l(.iil)t we shall learn more of them and of many other things
ir Mint'."

The journey was continued for anotlior throe weeks, and
was the cause of constant surprises to the captives. The
extraordinary fertility of the land especially struck them.
Cultivation among the Kebu was of a very primitive de-
scription, and the abundance and variety of the crops that
everywhere met their eye seemed to them absolutely mar-
vellous. Irrigation was not wholly unknown to the Kebu,
and was carried on to a considerable extent in Persia; but
the enormous works for the purpose in Kgypt, the massive
eiui)aid<nu'nts of the river, the network of canals and ditches,
the order and method everywhere apparent filled them with
surprise and admiration.

Many of the cities and temples greatly surpassed in mag-
iiiHeence and splendour those they had first met with, and
Ainnba's wonder reached its climax when they arrived at
Memphis, till lately the capital of Egy})t. The wealth and
contents of the city astonished the ca})tives, but most of all
were they surprised when they saw the enormous bulk of
the pyramids rising a few miles distant from the town, and
learned that these were some of the tombs of the kint>;s.

The country had now altered in character. On the left
a lange of steep hills approached the river, and as the march
proceeded similar though not so lofty hills were seen on the
right.

At last after another fortnight's travelling a shout of joy
from the army proclaimed that Thebes, the capital of Kgypt,
tile goal of the long and weary march, was in view.

Theites stood on both sides of the Nile. On the eastern
hank the largest portion of the population was gathered,
hut this part of the city was inhabited principally by the

TllKIW S.

jtooror oln^^s. TIutc was, too, a largo population on tli.
Lil)\an side of tin; Nile, the houses heiiiif denselv pucisi ,
UivM the hank of the river. IJehind these were nunihei> n;
teni{)les and palaces, while the tond)S of the kings and (inet,'i,«
were excavated in a valley farther ])a('k, whose precipitou-
si'icB were lionevcoinhed with tlio rock sepulchres of li;
wealtliy. As the dwelling-liouses were all low, the v;i>i
piles of the tern})les, ])alaces, and ] uhlic buddings rox
ahovo them, and presented a most striking appearance tn
those approaching the city, which lay in a great natuia,
amphitheatre, the hills on both sides narrowing towuni-
the river both above and below it. The march of the royal
army from Memphis had been on the western bank of tin
river, and it was the great Libyan suburb with its palac-
and temples that they were approaching. As they neaivi
the city an enormous nmltitude ])Oured out to welcome tin
king and the returning army. Shouts of enthusiasm wciv
raised, the sound of trumpets and other musical instrument^
filled the air, religious processions from the great tem|ili'-
moved with steady course through the dense crowd, wlii( h
separated at once to allow of the passage of the figures of tin-
gods, and of the priests and attendants bearing their emblems.

"Indeed, Jethro," Amuha ev "laimed with enthusiasm, "ii
is almost worth while being made a slave if it is only to
witness this glorious scene. A\'hat a wonderful people aic
these; what knowledge, and power, and magnificence. Why,
my father's paUice would bo regarded as a mere hut in Thehi's.
and our temi)les, of which we thought so much, are i)igniie>
by the side of these immense edifices."

"All that is true enough, Amuba, and I do not say that
I, too, am not filled with admiration, and yet you know the
Ivcbu several times drove back their forces, and man iCr
man are more than a match for their soldiers. Our peojih'
are taller than they b}' half a head. AVe have not so much
luxuiy, nor did we want it. All this must make people
etieminate."

her

ill
lia\

(li)V

arc
agr

\[n\

the
tail
sha
ligl

TIIK DIVISION (»K TIIF, r.M'TTVTS.

" IVrliaiKS so," Aimiba assented ; "but you must n'lncm-
licr it is not so very loii^i^ aiio that we were a jMMtple iiv iuii^
ill tents, an<l v.and'rint; at will in seareh of pasture, and we
li;i\e not, I tlrink, Iteennu' etl'euiinate because we have settled
down and built towns. No one can say that the Ei^yptians
aiv not brave, certainly it is not for us to say so, though I
ii'^Mi-e with you that physici^lly they are not ouv e(|uals. Seo
liow the people stare and poin*^ at us, Jethro. I should think
they have never seen a race like ours with blue eyes an<l
fair hair. Though even among them there arc varying
shades of daikness. The nobles ami upper classes are much
lighter in hue than the common people.

The sur})rise of the Egyptians was indeed great at tlie
(■oiii{)lexion of their captives, and the decoration of their
walls have handed down in })aintings which still remain,
the blue eyes and fair hair of the liebu. The rejoicings
iipou the retiiiii of the king went on for several days, at
tilt' end of that tinu; the captives wore <listril)Ute(l by the
royal order. Some were given to the generals who had
most distinguished themselves. I»Iany wei'e assigned to the
priests, while the great bulk were sent to labour upon the
public works.

The Kebu captives, whose singular complexion and fair-
ness caused them to be regarded with special interest, were
distributed among the special favourites of the king. Many
of the girls were assigned to the (jueen an<l royal princesses,
otiiers to the wives of the })riests and generals who formed
the council of the king. The men were, for the most part,
given to the priests for service about the temples.

To his great delight Amuba found that dethro and liimself
M'cre among the eight captives who wei'e assigned to the ser-
\iw. of the priests of one of the great temples. This was
srarcely the ett'ect of chance, for the captives were drawn
u]i in line, and the number assigned to each temple were
marched ott' together in order that there might be no pick-
ing and choosing of the captives, but that tliey might b<;

A KINDLY MASTKIt.

tlivi(le«l impjictiiilly l)ctween the various toniides, an«l u^
.lethro always jtlacoil himself hy Ainima's side, it naturally
hai)j)eneil that they fell to the same destination.

On reaching the temple the little hand of captives weic
again <lrawn uj), and the high-]»riest, A meres, a grave and
distinguished-looking ntun, walked along the line scrutini/.-
ing them. lie heckoned to Anniha to step forward. "Hence
forth," h(! said, "you are my .servant. IJehave well, atid
you will bo well treated." H<; again walked down the linr,
and A^muba saw that he was going to choose another, and
threw himself on his knees before him.

"Will my lord })ardon my boldness," he said, " Imt may
1 implore yon to choose yond<'i' man mIio stood next besidi;
me. lie has been my friend fiom childhood, he covercMl nie
with his shield in battle, he li.is bet n a father to me since I
have lost my own. Do not, I implon; you, my lord, separate
us now. You will find us both willing to labour at what-
soever you may givo us to do."

The priest listened gravely.

"It shall be as you wish," he said, "it is the duty of
every man to give pleasure to those around him if it lies
in his power, and as your friend is a man of thews and
sinews, and has a frank and honest face, he will assuredly
suit me as well as another; do you therefore both follow
me to my house."

The other captives saluted A^muba as he and Jethro turned
to follow. The priest observed vhe action, and said to the
lad:

•'Were you a person of consequence among your people
that they thus at parting salute you rather than your com-
rade who is old or than you?"

" 1 am the son of him wlio was their king," Amubr saitl.
"He fell in action with your troops, and had not our city
been taken, and the nation sub<lucd by the Lgyptians, I
should have inherited the throne."

"Is it soi" the priest said. "Truly the changes and

•'JUDGE NOT HASTILY."

fdrtmif's of life are strange. I wondnr that, being the son
(if thfir king, you wcro not specially kept by Tiiotnj<*.s

hiiii^t'II "

"I think that he knew it not," Amnba said. "We knew
not yo'ir customs, and my fellow-captives thought that
j)iisMl)ly I mi.!j;ht be j)ut to death were it known that I was
;i sou of their king, and therefore abstained from all out-
ward marks of respect, which, indeed, would to one, who was
a slave like themselves, have been ridiculous."

" 1 'erhaps it is best so," the priest said thoughtfully. "You
would not have been injured, for wo do not slay our cap-
tives taken in war, still maybe your life will be (nisier to
hear as the servant of a priest than in the household of the
king. Vou had better, however, mention to no one the rank
voii have boiiie, for it might be reported to tho king, and
tlioii you might be sent for to the palace; unless indeed
vou would rather be a spectator of the pomp and gaiety of
tile court than a servant in a (juiet household."

"I would far rather remain with you, my lord," Amuba
said eagerly. " You have already shown the kindness of your
heart by granting my request, and choosing my comrade
■letli'o as my fellow slave, and I feel already that my lot
will he a far hai»j)ier one than I had ventured to hope."

"Judge not hastily by appearances," the priest said. "At
tlu! same time, here in Egypt, slaves are not treated as they
;irc among tin; wild pt'oples of Nubia and the desert. There
i^ a law for all, and he who kills a slave is punished as if he
took the life of an Kgyj)tian. However I think I can say that
your life will not be a hard one; you have intelligence, as
i"- shovvn by the fact that you have so rapidly acquired suffi-
eient knowledge of our tongue to speak it intelligibly. Can
you, too, speak our language 1" he asked dethro.

''I can speak a little," Jethro said; "but noi nearly so
well as Amuba. My lips are too old to fashion a strango
tongue as rapidly as can his younger ones."

" Vou sjjeak suHiciently well to understand," the j)riest

TTTF. ITKJIM'UIKST's AI'.ODR.

Rjiid, " utkI (loiil)tloss will in time acquire our toni;ue per
fectlv. Til is is inv house."

The priest eutered an imposing j^ateway, on each side of
which stretched a Um<s, a!id lotty wall. At a distaiu'c of
tifty yards from the tjjate stood a lari,'e dwcD'n^, compaiv.i
to which the roy;*' ahode whicli Anuiha had een bnm-i,:
up in was hut a miserable hut. lnclos(!d within the walu
was a space of j;round some three hundred yards sqiiaii',
wiiich was laid out as a {jjarden. Avenues of fruit ticis
ran all round it, a portion was laid out as a vineyard; wiiik-,
separated from the rest by an avenue of palm-trees, was a
ve.!j;etable garden.

In front of the house was a larjiio piece of water, in wliidi
floated a j^aily painted boat; aquatic plants of all kinds hor
dei-ed its ed.i:;cs. (graceful palms j^rouped their foliage over
it, the broad flat leaves of lilirs floated on its surface, wliile
the white flowers which Anniba had seen carried in all tlie
relitijious ])rocessions, and by large numbers of peo])le of tl
upper rank, and which lie heard were called the lotus, r
above them. The two cai)tives were struck with sur|)ri>e
and admiration at the beauty of the scene, and forgot fur a
moment that they wer<^ slaves, as they looked round at a
vegetation more beautiful than they had ever beheld. A
smile passed over the countenance of the priest.

"Perfect happiness is for no man," he said, "and yc^t me
thinks that you may in time leain at least contentment here. '

II'

( )M'

CHAPTER IV.

AN EASY SKIIVITUDE.

JUST as the priest finished sj)eaking, a lad of about the
same age as Amuba appeared at the portico of tiie
liouse, and ran down to his father.

I'oiJTMXKss IS Tin: \ivu:.

"Oil, fiitlicr!" lie (*X(;ljiinicil, "liavc yon liinii'Jit two of
these stiaii^c ('{i|>tivcs lioino. Wo saw tlicni in tlu' lU'ocession,
;iiii| marv('llt!(l un'iUly at t\w colour (»t" their liair and oyt's.
Mssa and I jiarticiilaiiy noticed this lad, whose hair is almost
the cohjiir ot ^old."

"As usual, C'hehron, your tonu'iu; -iitruns your discretion.
This vouth nndt'i'stands enough Iv^Vittian to know what
\iiii arc sayiniL^', and it is not courteous to sjieaiv ot a person s
(haractcristics to his face."

The lad tlushed through his olive cheeks.

" I'ardon nie," lie said courteously to Ainuha. "I did not
think lor a moment that one who had hut newlv arrived
aiiioiii' us understood our lanLruaii;e."

" 1 )o not apologise," Anuiha rejjlitMl with a snn'l(\ "Doubt-
less oiw a|>pearance is strange; to yoti, and imhied even among
the peoph's of Lydia and i'ersia, there ;ire few whose hair
and eyes are as fair as ours. Even had you said that you
(lid not like our ajipearance I should not havt; felt hurt, for
all ]»eople 1 think like that to which they are accustomed;
ill any case it is good of you to say that you regret what you
said; peo[)le do not generally think that captives have feel-
ings."

"Chehron's ai)oloL.'V was right," liis father said. "Amon<'
us politeness is the rule, and every Egyptian is taught to be
iniisidcrate to all people. It is just as easy to be polite as
to \h' rude, and men are served better for love than for fear."

"And are they to stay here, father?" Chebron asked, "or
have you only brought them for to-day?"

"They are to stay here, my son. I have chosen them
from th()S<! set aside for our temple. I selected the younger
because he was al)out your age, and it is good for a man to
have one near him who has been brought up with him, and
is attached to him; who, although circumstances may not
have made them ecpial in condition, can y(!t be a comrade
and a friend, and such, I hope, you will find in Aniuba, for
such he tells me is his name. I have said whom circum-

I WILL TKKAT YOU AS MY KIUF.NI)

»»

stanros have ]>la«'(Ml iji an inf«M'ior position, for after all cir-
cuin.stanc(!s are (svcrytiiini;, Tiii.s youtji, in his own roimtrv,
Imid a position i'wn hii^lior than yon <h) hcrt', for Im u.is
tho son of th(! kinj^'; and, sincfi his fatlKT fell in hatth?, wonM
now ho th(^ kin.L,' of his people; had they not hcen auhjeetnl
to us. Thend'oro, Chehron, hear it always in mind that,
althoULjh niisf(»rtinie has placed him a eaptivo amoni; us, li<'
is ill l)irth your superior, ami treat him as you yourself would
wish to ho treated did you fall a eaptivo into the hands of ii
hostih; nation."

" I will gladly treat you as my friend," the youii;'
K^yptian said frankly to Amuha. "Although you are so
dill'erent from mo in race, I can see in your face that you
are true and loyal. Upsides," he added, " 1 am sure that
my father would not have* l)ade me so trust you had he not
read your (character and been certain that you will \)r. a lit
friend for nu;."

"You and your father are both j^'ood," Amul)a replitd.
"I know how hard is the lot of captives taken in war, f(tr
we, Kebu, had many slaves whom we took in various e-\-
peditions, and I was prejiared to suffer. You can judi^e,
then, how grateful I feel to our gods that they have placed
me in hands so ditferent from those I had looked for,
and I swear to you, Chehron, that you shall find me faithful
and devoted to you. So, too, will you find my friend here,
who in any difficulty would be far more able to render yon
service than I could. He was one of our bravest warriors.
He drove my chariot in the great battle we fought with
your people, and saved my life several times; and should
you need the service of a strong and brave man, Jethro will
be able to aid you."

"And have you been in battle]" Chebron asked in
surprise.

" That was the first time I had ever fought with men,"
Amuba said; "but I had often hunted the lion, and he is
almost as terrible an enemy as your soldiers. I was young

AN E(iYlTIAN YOlTH.

(11

to ^o to luittlo, 1)Ht my father naturally wIhIumI mo to take
my plai't! early amoiii,' tlio ti^htiiij; mm of our nation."

"I>y the way, Clit'l»n>ii," Amnres said, *'l would warn you,
iiKMition to no one tliu rank that Amuha hcM in his own
(Miuitrv. Won; it known he ini'rht l»e taken away from uh
to s»'rve in the j)ala('e. His people who vt'ro tal\(!n captives
witli liiiM said nothing; as to liis rank, feariiit,' that ill mi,i,'ht
iMtull him were it known, and it was therefore supposetl
that he was of the same rank as the other captives, who
wore all men of nohle hirth amon;j; th<! Kehu. Therefore
tell no one, not even your mother or your sister My.sa. If
tlirrt' is a secret to he kept, the few(>r who know it the hetter."

While this conversation had heen ^'oin^ on Amuha had
Itt'cii narrowly examinin-' the lad who had ijromised to
treat him as a friend.

Like his father he was fain^r in complexion than the
majority of the Kj^yptians, the li^htcu- hue heinii;, indeed,
ttliiiost universal among the upper class. He was nm(;h
KJiortcr and slighter than the young Kel)U, but he carried him-
self well, and had already in his manner sonu;thing of the
ealiM and dignity that distinguished Kgyptians born to high
rank. He was disfigured, as Amuha thought, by the custom,
ut'iieral throughout Kgyj)t, of having his head smoothly
shaven, except one lock which fell down over the left ear.
This, as Amuha afterwards learned, was the distinguishing
sii^ii of youth, and would be shaved oil' when he attained
mail's estate, married, or entered upon a proft!Ssion.

At present his head was bare, but when he went out he
wore a dose-Htting cap with an orifice through which the
l<i( k of hair i)assed out and feli down to his shoulder. He had
iii»t yet taken to the custom general among the u])per and
mid! lie classes of wearing a wig. This general shaving of
the head had, to Amuha, a most unpleasant ell'ect until he
hecanie accusto "-ed to it. It was adopted, doubth^ss, by tiie
K.LTptians for the i)ur[)ose ot coolness and cleanliness; but
Aiimlia thought that lie would lather spend any amount of

THE HKIll-l'UlESTS WIFE.

]iains in keoping liis hair tieo from dust than go about in
tile fantastic and comphcatcd wigs that the Egyptians woitj.

Th.o priest now led them within the house. On ])as,siii;,'
through the entrance they entered a large hall. Along its side
ran a row of massive columns supporting the ceiling, which
pn^jected twelve feet from each wiill; the walls were covereil
with maihle and other coloured stones; the Moor wu.s
paved with the sjune material; a fo iitain i)laye<l in the
middle, and threw its water to a considerable height, for the
portion of the hall between the columns was open to the
sky; seats of a great variety of shapes stood about tlu;
room ; while in great pots were placed palms and other plants
of graceful foliage. The ceiling was painted with an elaboratf
pattern in colours. A lady was seated upon a long couch.
It had no l»ack, but one end was raised as a support for the
arm, and the ends were carved into the semblance of the
heads of animals.

Two Nubian slave girls stood behind her fanning her,
and a girl about t-'/elve years old was seated on a low stool
studying from a roll of papyrus. She thiew it down and
jumped to her feet as hei- father entered, and tlie lady rose
with a languid iiir, as if the ellbrt of even so slight a move-
ment was a trouble to her.

"Oh, ])apa! — " the girl began, but the priest checked hrr
with a motion of his hand.

"My (h'ar," he said to his wife, "I have brought honu!
two of the captives whom our great king has brought with
him as trophies of liis con(|uest. He lu.s handed many over
for our service r«nd that of the tcmphis, and these two have
fallen to my share. They were of noble rank in their own
countr\\ and we will do our best to make them forget the
sad change in their position."

"You are always so peculiar in your notions, Ameres,"
the lady said more pettishly than would have been expectcil
from her languid! niovemeius. "They are captives; and I di>
not see that it makes any matter what they were before l\\> \

S^s^ ^

:.tr\

/*if»

,a^.,.^'

-;«^*

•¥'

sr-^-\

M:^'

'X^\

■S4:-i\:-

ki'-"

r4^.i«r

^sr

tej

J ^

MYSA.

were captives, so that they are captives now. By all menus
treat them as you like, so that you do not place tiiem al>ont
me, for their strange coloured hair and eyes and tlieir wiiite
faces make me shudder."

"( )h. mamnui, I think it so pretty," Mysa exclaimed. "I do
wish my hair was gold-coloured like that boy's, instead of
heJDg black like every one else's."

The priest shook liis head at liis «laughtcr reprovingly;
hut she seemed in no way abashed, for she was her father's
pet, and knew well enough that he was never seriously
artery with her.

"1 <lo not propose jilacing them near you, Amense," he
said calmly in reply to his wife. "lndee<l it seems to me that
von have already more attendants about you than you can
tiiid any sort of employment for. The lad I have specially
iijlotted to Chebron, as to the other I have not exactly settled
as to what his duties will be."

" Won't you give him to me, pa}>a," Mysa said coaxingly.
"Fatina is not at all amusing, and Dolma, the Nubian girl,
lan only look good-natured and show her white teeth, but
as we can't understand each other at all 1 don't see that she
is of any use to me."

"And what use do you think you could nif/o of this tall
Kchu?" the priest asked smiling.

"I don't '^uite know, ])aj»a," Mysa said, as with her head a
little on on.- side she examined .lethro critically, "but I like
his looks, and 1 am sure he could do all sorts of things; for
instance he could walk with me when I want to go out, he
I'oiilil tow me round the lake in the boat, he could pick \\\)
my ball for me, and could feed my j)ets."

"When you are too lazy to feed them yourself,'' the
priest put in. "Vary well, Mysa, wt^ will try the exjjerinicnt.
.icthro shall be your special attendant, and when you havo
nothing for him to do, which will be the best part of the day,
he can look after the water-fowl. Zunho never attends them
properly. Do you understand that r' he aslud .Icthro.

FORTUNATE CAPTIVES.

Jcthro replied by stepping forward, takiiiLC the girls hand,
ariii bending over it until his forehead touchud it.

"There is an answer for you, Myaa."

" You iridulge the children too much, Ameres," his wif(!
said irritably. " I do not think in all Kgypt there are any
children so spoilt as ours. Other men's sons never speak
unless addressed, and do not think of sitting down in the
presence of their father. 1 am astonished indeed that you,
who are looked up to as one of the wisest men in Egypt,
should sutler your children to be so familiar with you."

"Perhaps, my dear," Ameres said with a placitl smile,
"it is because 1 am one of the wisest men in Kgypt. ]\ly
children honour me in their hearts as much as do those who
are kept in slave-like subjection. How is a boy's mind
to expand if he does not ask questions, and who should he
so well able to answer his questions as his father? There,
children, you can go now, take your new companions with
you and show them the garden and your pets."

"We are fortunate, indeed, Jethro," Anniba said as they
followed Chebron and Mysa into the garden. "When we
pictured to ourselves as we lay on the sand at night during
our journey hither what our life would be, we never dreamt
of anything like this; we thought of tilling the land, of aid
ing to raise the great dams and embankments, of quarryini,^
stone for the public buildings, of a grinding and hopeless
slavery, and the only thing that ever we ventured to hope
for was that we might toil side by side, and now, see how
good the gods have been to us. Not only are we together,
but we have found friends in our masters, a home in thi^
strange land."

" Truly it is wonderful, Amuba. This Priest Ameres, is
a most excellent person ; one to be loved by all who come
near him. We have indeed been most fortunate in having
been chosen by him."

The brother and sister led the way through an avenue of
fruit trees, at the end of which a gate led through a high

A VAIllKTV OF PETS.

Of)

;irls haiKl ^M jaliiig of ruslios into an inclosiiro some fifty feet squanv
It was suii'ouikNmI l)y trees and slinil)S, and iti tluMi" sIkuIo
studil a iiiiuil»ci' ut' wooden stnictiirt's. Jn the centre was
a |iu(»l occupying tiio third of tlie area, and like th(! larue
]i(iii<l hcfoi'G the liouse bor lercd with aijuatic phuits. At
tiie c'l'ie stood two il)ises, while nian\' hrilliantly pliunaired
v,,itci-in\vl were suiiiunin<; on its surface, or cleaning- their

Ira. lit

■IS on the bank

As soon as the pite closed thero was a irreat coniinotioii
anion;; the water-fowl; the ibises advan(;ed <j;ravely to ni(!et
tiH'ir y«;iing mistress, the d

ucks set up a cho.as o

f wel

come

those on the water madi; for the shon;, wliile those on land
tnllowcd the ibises with loud (piackinL^s. lUit the l!ist to reach
tiieiii were two gazelles, which bounded fntni one of the
\\(Mi len huts an<l were in an instant beside them, tlirusting
llirir soft muzzles into the hands of C'hebron and Mvsa.

lile from the other structures arosi; a medley of sounds-

tip

barl

KUILT of do^;s

and the sounds of welcome from a

\arict\ of creature

IS not voui- feeding time, yon Know

Ch(0

)!"on saw

l<>(ikiiig,at the gazcilles, "aiul for one*; we haxc. com*! enijity-
liaiiil'MJ; but we will giv(^ \'ou something fioin your stores.
Sec. .lethro, this is their hiider," and he led the way into a
structure somewhat lai'u-er than the rest; aloiiLT tin

,11

)f I

were a numher oi boxes or various sizes

"ins stood below them.

Ill

whil
1

(! SOUK!

a rue

ere, you see, he went on, opeii-

iiiLT "He of the bins and taking from it a handful of fieshly-
• lU vetches, and going to the door and throwinLC it down

i...f,

lie the gazelles, "this is tlu.'ir snecial food; it is brou^dit
ill fresii evorv morninii; from our farm, which lies siv Miiles
a\\a\. The next bin contains the seed for tlie water-fowl.
It is ail mixed here you see. Wheat and ]>eas and jmlse
:iu(l other seeds. j\lysa, do give them a few handfuls, for I
i-aii haidly hear myself speak from their clamour.

'"Ill this i)ox above you see tlii're is a pan of sopped 1)read
!i>i' the cats. There is a little mixed with the water; but

(4-1 ) K

A WELIi-CAUED-FOU COLONY.

only a little, for it will not keep good. Those cakes are
for tliem too. Tlioso large, plain, luinl-l)aked cakes in the
next box are for the dogs ; tliey have some meat and bones
given them two or three times a week. Tin e frogs ami
toads in this cage are for the little crocodile; he has a tank
all to himself. All these other boxes are full of ditlcrent
food for the other animals you see. There's a jjicture of
the right animal upon each, so there is no fear of making a
nn'stakc. Wc generally feed them ourselves three times a
day when we are here, but when wc are away it will be fur
you to feed them."

"And please," Mysa said, "above all things be very jjur-
ticular that they have all got fresh water; they do love
fresh water so much, and sometimes it is so hot that tliu
pans dry up in an hour after it has been i)Oured out. Voii
see the gazelles can go to the pond and drink when they an;
thirsty, but the others are fasten(!d up because they won't
live peaceably together as they ought to do; but we let
them out for a bit while we are here. The dogs chase the
water-fowl and frighten them, and the cats will eat up the
little ducklings, which is very Avrong when they have plenty
of })roper food; and the ichneumon, even when we are heic,
would quarrel witii the snakes if we let him into their house.
They are very troublesome that way, though they are all so
good with us. The houses all want making nice and clean
of a morning."

The party went from house to house inspecting the various
animals, all of which were most carefully attended. The
dogs, which were, Chebron said, of a Nubian breed, were
used for hunting; while on comfortable beds of fresh rushes
three great cats lay blinking on large cushions, but got up
and rubbed against Mysa and Chebron in token of welcome.
A number of kittens who were playing about together lushetl
up with upraised tails and loud mewings. Amuba noticed
that their two guides made a motion of resjiect as they
entered the house where the cats were as well as towaids

. ■^■a.(Kr<«.-.'t»»- ).■■»■_ ■

A yUIET TIMK.

! cakes are

,kes ill the

and bones

frogs and

has a tank

►f ditierent

picture of

■ making a

ne times a

will he fur

; very par-
y do love
t that the
3Ut. Vou
n tliey aie
hey won't
ut we let
chase tiie
at up the
Lve i)leiity
! are here,
eir liouse.

are all sd
and clean

le various

ed. The

eed, wcie

sh rushes

ut got up

welcome,
er rushed

•1

a notiectl

as tlu'v

ton'ards

the dogs, the ichneumon, and the crocodile, all of which were
saered animals in Tliehes.

Many instructions were given by Mysa to Jethio as to
the peculiar treatment that each of her j)ets demanded, and
having completed their rounds the party then explored the
i^anlen, and Amu))a and Jethro were greatly struck by the
iniuiense variety of plants, which had indeed been raised
from seeds or roots brought from all the various countries
Avlu;re the Egyptian arms extended.

For a ycai' the time passed trancjuilly and pleasantly to
Aniuha in the household of the priest. His duties and those
(if .It'thro were light. In his walks and excursions Amuba
was Chcbron's companion. He learned to row his boat when
he went out fishing on the Nile. When thus out together
the distinction of rank was altogether laid aside; but when
in Tliehes the line was necessarily more marked, as Cheb-
1011 could not take Amuba with him to the houses of the
many friends and relatives of his father among the priestly
and military classes. When the priest and his family went
out to a banquet or entertainment Jethro and Amuba were
always with the jtarty of servants who went with torches
to escort them home. The service was a light one in their
case; but not so in many others, for the Egyptians often
drank dee})ly at these feasts, and many of the slaves always
took with them light couches upon which to carry their
masters home. Even among the ladies, who generally took
theif meals apart from the men upon these occasions, drun-
kenness was by no means uncommon.

When in the house Amuba was often present when
Chebron studied, and as he himself was most anxious to
ac(|uire as much as he could of the wisdom of the Egyp-
tians, Chebron taught him the hieroglyphic characters,
and he was ere long able to read the inscriptions ui)on the
temple and pul)lic buildings and to study from the papyrus
•scrolls, of which vast numbers were stowed away in pigeon
h'lh's ran '.red round one of the largest rooms in the house.

(IS

COUN'IKV lAFl).

When (1i('l>n»irs studies wmmc over Jcthro itistnictcd liiiii
ill the use of arms, and also |tractis('d witli Aiimlia. A toaclici
of tlu! uses of tli(3 l)ow caTiic friMjiiciitly — for J\uTptiaiir> of ;i!l
i;nd<s were skilled in tin- use of the national weapon — ;iii,|
the Ivehu cajitivcs, already skill«Ml in the how as used l.\
their own |>eoj>le, learp'd from watchiiiL;' liis <<';i' Iiinu' "i
('hehron to use i h*- " a m1 mueli more |)o\vt'ifiil weapnii
».f the K<i\ ;;.ian?>. Wl-'never Mvsa went outside the lioux-
dethro aec(»nii>; lii d lieij waitiiiL;; outside the hnuse slic
visited until she came out, vT going back to ivXi-\i her it
her stay was a prolonged one.

Greatly they enjoyed the ocrasional visits made ])V t'lr
family to their farm. Here they saw tlu; cultivation of tli"
helds carried on, watched the plucking of the grapes ami
their conversion into wine. To extract the juice the uiaiMs
were heaped in a large Hat vat al)Ove which rnpcs wcii; siis-
jieiidcd. A doz(Mi hare-footed slaves entered the vat and tin-l
out the grap( p, usin.r tlu; ro})es to lift themselves in oi(l( i
that they mii;ht drop with greater foice upon the fi'uit.
Amuha had learned irom Chehron that, although he w;i<
going to enter the priesthooil as an almost necessary I'l'eliniin-
ai'y for state employment, he was not intended to rise to the
upjier lank of the priesthood, but to bt'conie a st:it,(; otlicinl.

"My elder brother will, no doubt, some day succeed niy
father as high-])riest of Osiris," he told Amuba. "I know-
that my father does not think that he is clever, but it is
not ni'cessary to l)e veiy clever to serve in the temnle. 1
thought that, of course, I too should come to high rank in
the priesthood; for, as you know, almost all posts are heii-
ditary, and though my l)iother as the elder would he
h'gh-priest, 1 should be one of the chiet-priests also. Ihit
I have not much taste that way, antl rejoiced much when
one day saying so to my father, he re^jlied at once that he
should not uige me to devote my life to the priesthood, for
that there wei'e many other oilices of state which would he
ojien to me, anil in which 1 could serve my country and be

^ McsMryr-^^fc— - „

A NOULK I'KIKST.

G'J

Ux'fli: (,0 tllC jJOOpl'' Aim '«t Jill the ])OSts ill tllO St'lN ice
(if til' st.itt; arc, iiid'od, held l»y the iui'IiiImts )f priestly
faiiiili"'^; tlioy fw'iiish i^ovcniois to to pioviiiccs, and not

iiiitri uc

II tl; .i:;

rciicrais

to tl

10 aiiiiv

■' .viiiit',' Ih! said, 'aro hy disjxisitioii fitted to spend their
lives in iiii"isteii,,L,' iii tho temples, and it is doulitless a
hi.'li honour and hajipiness to do so; hut for others a more
uriive lite and a wider field of usefulness is nidri! suitahh\
i'.iiuincers are waiite(l for the canal and irrigation works,
jiidn'cs are re(piired to make the law resjx'ctcd and oheyed,
liijilniiiatists to deal with foreiL,Mi nations, governors for the
iiiuiiy peoples over whom we rule: therefore, my son, if yo^
(1(1 iMi feel a lon,i:;iii<^ to spend your lif*? in the service of ♦' ^
temple, hy all means tuiii your mind to study which will tit
yii to ho an otlicer of the state. l!c assured that I in
(ill , tin for vou from the kiiui; a post in which V(>u will . «■

e to make your tir^t essay, and so, if deserving, rise to

all

liiu'li advancement.' "

There were ivw piicsts during the reign of 'I'hotmes IH.
who stood higher in tho opinion of the l\i:yiitian people
than Allures. His piety and leai'ning rendered him distin-
LTuisheil among his fellows. Ho was higli-|)iit'st in the
t'liiplt^ of Osiris, and was one of tho m(»st trusted of the
councillors of the king. He had hy heart all the laws of tlu;
s;u 10(1 hooks; he was an adejit in the inmost mysteries of
the religion. His wealth was large, and he used it nohly;
lie lived in a certain i)omp and state Avhicli wei'O necessary
tor his ])osition, but ho spent hut a tithe of his reveiuies,
and the rest he distriljuted among the needy.

If the Nile rose to a higher level than usual and spread
luin and destruction among the cultivators, Amores was
ready to assist the distressed. If the ris(; of the river
was deficient, he always set the oxami)le of remitting tlu;
rents of the tenants of his broad lands, and was ready to
!' !id money Avithout interest to tenants of harder or more
necessitous landlords.

!.' ^'V'<"^v:a:

AN INQUIKINC; MIND.

Yet amonf; tho high priostliood Amoros was rog.inl" (1
witli suspicion, nud even dislike. It was whispere*! anmiiL;
them that, learned and pious as lio was, the opinions of tlit-
high-priest were not in acconhmce with the general sciiti
nients of the priesthood; that, although he jierfoniiol
j)unctiliously all the numerous duties of his otlice, aihl
took his part in the sacritices and processions of the goil,
he yet lacked reverence for him, and entertained notions
widely at variance with those of his fellows.

Ameres was, in fact, one of those men who refuse to he
hound l»y the thoughts and opinions of others, an<l to whom
it is a necessity to l)ring their own judgment to hear on evei v
question presented to theni. J lis father, who liad heen high
]»riest heforo him — for the great oHices of Kgypt were for
the most part hereditary — while lie liad heen delightiMl id
the thirst for knowledge and the enthusiasm for study in his
son, liad heen frecpiently shocked at the freedom with wliicli
he expressed his opinions, as step hy step he was initiated
into the sacred mysteries.

Already at his introduction to the ])riesthood, Ameres had
mastered all there was to learn in geometry and astronomv.

CD %) M

He was a skilful architect, and was deeply versed in the
history of the nation. He had already heen employed as
supervisor in the construction of canals and irrigation works
on the property helonging to the teinjile, and in all thesi;
res})ects his father had every reason to be proud of the suc-
cess he had attained and the estimation in whicii he was heM
by his fellows. It was only the latitude which he allowed
himself in his consideration of religious questions whicli
alainied and distressed his father.

The Egyptians were the most conservative of peoples.
For thousands of years no change whatever took place in
their constitution, their manners, customs, and habits. It
was the fixed belief of every Egyi)tian that in all res])ects
their country was superior to any other, and that their laws
and customs had approached perfection. All from the

Li..,..

A »(JNSi;i;VATIVK I'KCMM.K.

liiirln'st to the lowest were einiiilly IxjmihI by these. Tlie
killer himself was no iiion; indejieiKleiit than the jieasaiit;
Ill's hour of risini:,', the manner in which tlie (hiy shouM ho
employed, tin; very (piantity and (|'iality of food lie should
eat, were all rij:;idly di<tated by enstoni. Il(! was stnrounded
from his youth hy youni; men of his own a^e — sons of priests,
cliuscn for their virtue and piety.

Thus he was fiee<l from the influence of evil advisers,
and even liiid hei so wished it, luul neither means nor jiower
of opjiressiui; his suhjectts, whose rights and pi'ivileLjes were
us strictlv defin(!d as his own. In a countrv, then, where
every man followed tin? j)rofession of his fathei\ and where
fiom time immemorial everythini^ had proceeded on pie-
cisely the same lines, the fact that Amei'es, the son of the
liiLrli-priest of Osiris, and himself destined to succeed to that
dit,'iiity, should entertain opinions ditl'eiini; even in the
sli:^litest from those held hy the leaders of the priesthood,
was sutHcient to cause him to be re'::arde(l with marked dis-
favour among them; it was indeed only because his piety and
henevolence were as remarkable as his learning and know-
ledi^e of science that he was enabled at his father's death
to succeed to his oHice without opposition.

Inileed, even at that time the priests of higher giade
would have opjmsed his election; but Ameres was as i»opu-
lar with the lower classes of the priesthood as with the
people at large, and their sufTrages would have swam})ed
those of his o})ponents. The multitude had, indeed, never
heard so much as a whisper against the orthodoxy of the
liigh-piiest of Osiris. They saw Irim ever foremost in the
sacrilices and processions; they knew that \ni was indefatig-
alde in his services in the tem];)le, and that all his spare time
was devoted to works of benevolence and general utility; and
as they bent devoutly as he passed thiough the streets they
little dreamt that the high-])riest of Osiris was njgarded by
his chief brethren as a dangerous innovator.

And yet it was on one subject only that he difTered widely

AN i.NN(n .\h»i:.

from liis Older. A'ctscd as Ik; \v:is in fli«« iiiiicniiost iiiys-
t(M'i('s, lit! liail l('aiiM!il till' true nuaiiin,;; of tlio rrli_uit»ii t.t
wliicli he \va>* one of tlu'diicf ininisti'is. He was a\vai»! tli.u
Osiris ami Isis, ilur six otiicr LCicat ,uo<ls, ami tlic! inmiiiitT
altl»! tiiviiiitics wlium tin; l'<<\ ptiuiis \v«tr.-lii|»|M(l tiinicr ilir
;::iiiso of dcitios witli tli(! liciuls of uiiiiiials, w ere in tliLMiiscl\ts
iiogoijsat all, l»ut nu'if attiilmtcs of tlio ]in\vcr, tlio wisili-iii.
the LloodiK'ss, tho aiii^iT of tin' one ^ri'at ( iml a (iod .n
miiilitv that his nainc was unknown, and that it was nulv
wlum i-arli of his attrihiitcs was udvcn an individuality :iihl
oi'shippcd as a i:;od that it «'(»uld ' ■ understot)d hy lln'

liiutc sciist! of ni;in.

All t

lis was known to Aninres and tlio few who. li

liini, liad liccii adniilt(Ml to the inninst tnystcrics of thi'
l\i,'y))tian rclinion. Tlu; rest of the lobulation in I'-.u^Npt
worshipped in truth and in faith tho aniniahhcadcd ;ioils
and the animals saci'cd to tliciu; and yet as to tlioso ani-

mals there was no consensus or opinion. In one nonie nr
division of the kin.udoin the crocodile was siicred; in
another he was rcLrardcd with dislike, an<l tlu; ichneuni'iii.
who was siip|io>ed to l»e his dotroyei', was deilicd. In diit;
the _uoat was wor^lii] p"d, and in aiiotlier eaten for food:
and so it was throuuliout the whole of tin; list of sacivij

limals, which were icixarded with reverence or inditl'i

ence accordin.Lj to the ^ods who were looked U[»on as the
.special tutelary deities of tlie noiue.

It was the opinion of Ameres that the knowledLre, con-
fined oidv to the initiated, should he more widelv disst mi-
nated, ami, without wishin;:; to extend it at present to tlic
iLiiiorant masses of the peasantry and lahourei-s, he thoiiulit
that all the educated and intelliiieiit clashes of Kuvi)t slmiik
he admitted to an understandiuLr of the real nature of the
gods they worshipped and the inner truths of their religi"ii.
He was williuL^ to admit that the process must l)e gradunl.
and that it would he necessary to enlaru'o uraduallv the
circle of the initiated. His )iropo?ala were nevertheless

TiiK ai:(;i;mi:nts uv iiik tkiksts.

<'li_m'oii (,i

^va^^' that l/l
iiitiiiiiit'i'
lihh'i- til,

IL'IIISl'|\f>
! Wisili.lii,
I (ioti >n

was niily
alitv ;iii,|
I hy tl,r

vlio, li!v.-

S (.f th,'
I CM I '^\uU

Ik-'so ;tiii
iioiiu; ill'
■ivj\\ ill
ii(.'iiin'iii.

ill Olic

i»r t"(Mi(l;
( sacivil
inditlci-

1 as tli(,'

lirO, Cdll-

• lissciiii-
t to tlic
thoii-lit

i sllDllli.
3 of till'

;'cli'^itiii.
^•radiKtl.
lily til.'
rthelcss

rccivcil with (lisniay niul lionor l>y his rollrai^uos. Tliry
jis-iiTtnl that to allow others licsitlcx tho liiuhcr |iii<'stli(MMl
til Ipt'coiiif awafc of tho <li'fj» iiiystcrics of tlicii' rciii^ioii

Uiilllil liO att('ll(l<'(l Nvitll tcllihlt! COllSiMlUCtlCt'H.

in tli(! tiist |ila('(', it wotild sliaUi« ciitirt'ly tho rt'spcct
aipl it'vcit'iK'i! ill wliich tho juiosthood woro lirM, ami would
.iiiiiiliilati! their intlueiiiH!. 'I'lie temples would he desettcd,
iiid, losinj; the faith which they iit»w so steadfastly held in
the LTods, people; would soon cease t<> have any religion at
all. "'riiere art> no people," they nf,^'eil, "on the face of the
.iifh >o moral, so contented, so happy, ami so easily filled
as tlur I'l^yptians; hut what wonhl they ho did yoti destt(»y
all their helicfs. and launch them njion a sea of donht and
-|M'iulationI No longer would they look np to those who
have so lon^ heeti their <j;uides and teachers, ami whom
tlicy it'irard as possessing;; a knowletl^o and wisdom infinitt^ly
li,'\nnil theirs. They would accuse us of having deceived
iluiii, and in their hlind fury dostro\ alike tho i^ods and
til' ir iiiiiiisters. Tho idea of such a thini; is iiorrihh^"

Aiuuros was sihMiced thoiiL;h not convinced. Ho felt, in-
'It'cd, that there was much truth in tho view they entertained
"t the matter, and that terrihle consc(iuencos wouhl almost
certainly follow tin; discovery hy tho jicoplo that for tliou-
saiids of years thoy had heen led hy tho priests to worship
;t.s gods those wdio were no gods at all, and ho saw that tho
t'vil which woidd arise from a ireneral onli<ditonmcnt of the
iM'opli! would outwoii,di any henetit that they could derive
tiniu the discovery. 'I'ho system had, as his colleau'ucs said,
worked well; and tho fact that the people worshipped as
.irtiial deities ima,i:;inary hein_ii;s who were really hut the re-
picscntatives of the attril .ites of the intinito (Jod, could not
he said to have done them any actual harm. At any rate, he
iiloiit' and unaided could do nothinii;. <hily with the general
'I'lisciit of the higher ])iiesthood coid<l tho circle of initiated
'"' widened, and any movement on his part alone would
^iIllply bring upon himself disgrace and death. Therefoii;,

AN F.(JYI'TIAN PHI EST.

after unlmrdoning liimsolf in a council composed only of
the liigher initiates, ho held his jteace and went on tlio
quiet tenor of his way.

Enliirhtcned as he was he felt that he did no wrong to
})rcside at the sacrifices and tal^e part in the services of the
<^ods. lie was worshipping not the animal-headed idols,
but the attributes which they personified. He felt pity for
t'le ignorant multitude wiio laid their offerings u]ton the
shrine; and yet he fcdt that it would shatter their hai)piness
instead of adding to it were they to know that the deity
they worshij)ped was a myth. He allowed his wife and
daughter to join with the priestesses in the service at the
temple, and in his heart acknowledged that there was nuirji
in the contcntiojj of thos(^ who argued that the spread (»f
the knowlcdgt; of the iinier mysteries would not conduie
to the iiappincss of all who received it. Indeed he him
self would have shrunk from distuibing the nn'nds of his
wife and ilaughter by informing them that all their ]>i(>us
ministrations in the temple were oflenMl to non-existent
gods; that the sacred animals they tended were in no way
more sacred than others, save that in them were recognized
some shadow of the attributes of the unknown (Jod.

His eldest son was, he saw, not of a disj>osition to be
troubled with the problems which gave him so much subject
for thou'dit and care. He would contlnct the services con-
sciously and well, tie would bear a res{)ectable part when,
on his accession to the higli-priesthood, he became one of
the councillors of the monarci' He had common sense, bill
no imagination. The knowl:.'dire of tlie inmost mysteries
would not disturb his mind in the sliirhtest deLM'ee, and it
was imi)robable that even a thought would evei cross his
mind tiiat the terrible decei)tion practised by the enlightened
U})on the whole people was anytlung bit right and proper,

Ameres saw, however, that Chebron was altogether differ
ently constituted. He was very intelligent. a»jd was pos-
sessed of an ardent thirst for a knowledge of all kinds; but

li(! had

jKiintsI

which'

tiiught|

vince

proceei

.MiogJ

own nl

tlie wll

felt wf

He
work
upper
self f(
uthcr

TlIK CIIAUACTEK UF CllEliKoN.

<.)

1 only of
t on the i

uTonuj tn

(3s of the

(id idols,

pity f(ir

Ipon tilt;

i:ij)|)in('s,s
lie deity
tvifo and
at the
as much
plead of
conduce
lie liini-
■s of his
fcir pious
existent
no way
'ognized

n to lie

subject
ces con-
t when,

one of
ise, l»(i;
Ksterics

and it
OSS his
hten('(l
i'oper.

(lifFer-
is pos-
ts; but

he had also his father's lia1)it of looking at matters from all
points of view and of thiid<ing for himself. The manner in
which Ameres had himself superintended his studies and
t;ui^lit him to work with his understanding, and to con-
vince himself that each rule and })recept was true before
iirocceding to the next, had developed his thiidving |)oweis.
Altogether, Ameres sr"^' tant the doubts which filled his
own mind as to the honesty, or even ex})ediency, of keeping
the whole people in daikness and error would probably be
felt with even greater force by Chebron.

He had deteiniined, therefore, that the lad should not
work u}) through all the grades of the priesthood to the
upper raidc, but should, after rising high enough to fit him-
self for official employment, turn his attention to one or
other of the great departments of state.

CHAPTER V.

IN LOWER iCGYPT.

I AM going on a journey,'" Ameres said to his son, a few
days after the return from the farnv. "I shall take
}()u with me, Chebron, for 1 am going to view the progres:
of a fresh canal that is being made on our estate in (loslu.'u.
The officer who is superintending it has doubts whether,
when the sluices are opened, it will altogether fulfil its pur-
l»ose, and I fear that some mistake must have been made
in the levels. 1 have already taught you the theory of the
work, it is well that you should gain some pract,ical ex-
perience in it; for there is no more useful or honourable
profession than that of carrying out woiks ]»y which the
tloods of the Nile are conveyed to the thirsty soil."

"Thank you, father. 1 should like it greatly," Chebron

A STi;AN(ii:iC I'KOI'LH,

replied ill a toni; (ji ileli^ht, fni' \\c li;ul ii('V(;i' before hot-i

I I;ir

tsoiiLli of 'i'ht'hcs.

And iiiav Aiiiuha uo u itli us

was tliiMkiii.L; of taking idm,"' tlir liiudi-piiest sai

".Ic'tl

(•oii>iiit> my own |il(';isui't; I wnuld tar riithcr travel witlimi;

iro can also uo, tor 1 tnkc a i(;tiiiuc with iiu;

lis state aiK

■i'ei!i<i!i\' ; l)iit, a^ a t'liiictioiiarv <»

f st;iti

must coiifdnii to tlu' customs. And, indeed, cxcii iii(Ii>>lHii
it is ;is well always to travel with some soi't ((f state. The
jii'Ojil(3 there are of a dillereiit rac(; to oiirsehcs. .\lthiiii.:ii
they have dwelt a loiii;- time in the land and conform to ii-

customs, s

till tl

d (thstl

ley ;ir(! notoriously a siuhDorn ana oosim.iic
|»eo[)le, and tliei'e is more troiiMe in LK'ttin,^ the jmhlic works
e.\ecute(l there than in nny other part of the country."

"1 have heard of them, father. They heloiiLi; to the sainr
race as th(3 she))he]'d kinus who were such hitter tyrant.- tn
]\L;y|)t. How is it that they stayed behind wdieii the she|i-
lieiMJs were driven out?"

"They are of the same r;ice, ]»nt they came not with them.
and formed no part of their co'KiuerinL:; armies. 'I'lie slic|r
herds, wlh>, as you know, came from the land lyitiLC to the
east of the (Ireat Sea, had leiLTiied here fur a loiin' time whcii
this peoj'ie came. They were relations of the Joseph avIki.
as 30U lia\e read in }'(.»iir history, was chief minister ei
Ki,^vi)t.

"1I(! came here as a slave, and was certainly hrouuht frnm
the country whence our op])ress(.rs came. Ihit they say that
lie was ii!it of their race, hut that his forefathers liad conn'
into the land from a eountrv Ivitm- fai- to the I'ast; hut th;it
I know not. Siillice it he gained the contidence of the kiiij,
became his minister, and ruled wisely as far as the kiiiu
was concerned, thoueh the j'eople have little reason fn
bless his memory. In his d;iys was a terrible famine, ami
tiiey say he foretold its comiuL:, and that his uods y::\\v
him warninu:; of it. So, vast uianarics were constructcil
and tilleil to oNi'i'tlowing, and when the famine canu^ jinl
the peojile were starving the grain was served out, but in

rc!nrn|

wh'ile

lu'i

a> Its
was t

11; lie

anl

liili,l:i1

-T

ii'caii

tie

alway-

Tlie'sl

and h

\a-t w

never

liertV
1

|H'tt V

•''r.i

(if the

''N

wiile (

llu: )H

in CXI

"!'.

ami 11

ntlier

all' i]

land

m (i

■jivat

.hi-e

a ki

-lie t

shno

oV/Nr.RSlIU' OF Tlir. I.AM).

< /

<3 1>C'('I1 f;ir

riest sail I.
;. Did I
1 witlidii;
f stiitr, I

to. Ti,..

\ltll.HI;_!.

I'lii to ii.

I'I'Still.itr

'ic woikv

y."

tlie same
•nuit> tw
he shfj,-

K'lll.

th tl

lie slic|,-

■J: to the
lie \v\lr\i

pli mIki,
lister (if

III

ht fr.
^ay that
-<l coiiie
'Ut that
le kiiiL',
le kill-
ison to
lie, aii<l
Is ,u':i\t'
tnu'ttM
IK! ;M:i|
1)11 t ill

ri^rnrn the j)eo]il(' h:\<\ to uivc up 'heir l;ii!tl. Thus t!if
whiiN' ("titire » f the land in tlr- couiitiy v. ;"s chanu'cd, and
all hccaiiit' the ]iroj)erty of the state, tin; ]ieo|)le I't'inainiiiLi;
a> its ten.'Uits upon the land tlie\' foi-nni'ly o\\ iu'd. 'I'lien it
\\,i> that tlu! stiite j^fanted lar-t; tracts to the t('in))les and
(iHicrs to the military order, so that, at ])r('S(Mit all tillei's
"i land pay lent (,'ithcr to the kiiiL!;, tin- tcnii»!es, or the
iiiihtaiy order.

•'Thti.s it is that tlie army ran always l)e kejit n]> in scr-
\ii('al)le oi'def, dwehinu' hy its tiMis of thousands in the
cities assiLjned to it. Thus it is that the royal treasury is
always kejtt full, and the services of the temples maintaiiKMl.
The step has adih'd to tlie ]>o\ver aiul dignity of the nation,
ami has beiie'ited the cultivators themselves by enahlim;
\;Hr woi'ks. of irri'jation to be carried out — woi'ks that coidd
!i.\ci' ha\e been accomplished had tin; h'unl l)een tin,' ]iro-
]i.Tt\' (if innuiiK.'rable .small holders, each with his own
pi'tty interests."

■' lliit yiMi said, father, that it has T'.ot been for tlio good
(if the peojile."'

"Nof iias it in one I'esjject, Chelnon. for it has drawn a
\\i(le chasm betw'en tlu; aristocratic classes and the bulk of
the people, who can nevei- own land, and have no stimulus
to exertion."

''Hut they arc wholly ignorant, father. They arc jieasants,
;iih1 nothing:' more."

"1 think they might ])e somethiiiL:; more, (Jhebion, under
"ther circumstances. However, that is not the (juestion we
;ire disciissing. 'J'his .loseph bi'ouuht his family out of the
iiiid at the east of the Groat Scm, and land was given to them
111 (iosht'ii, and they settle(l thei'e and throve aii'l multiplied
'jivatly. I'ai'tly l)ecause of tht; remembrance of the services
• h>M'ph had rendereil to the state, partly because they were
:i kiiidivd pcopl(>, they were held in favour as long as the
-Icjihei'd kings ruled over us. |!ut when Iv^ypt ro-e, and
"!io(,k otr the yoke the\' had ;;roaiie(l under so long, and

TIIK I'KoI'l.l': 'JF (UJSIIKN.

drove the shepherds and their followers out of the laii(l,
this people — for they had now so grown in nuni! 'rs as to be
in verity a peoj)le — remained behind, an<l thoy have been
naturally viewed with suspicion by us. They are akin to
our late oppressors, and lying as their land does to the
east, they could open the door to any fresh army of in-
vasion.

"Happily, now that our conquests have spread so far, ami
the ])0wer of the peojtle eastward of the Great Sea has brm
completcfly broken, this reason for distrust lias died out, l)iit
Joseph's people are still viewed unfavourably. Prejudidis
take long to die out among the masses, and the manner in
which these people cling together, marrying only amoni;
themselves and keeping themselves a]»art from us, gives ;i
certain founchition for the dislike which exists. Personally,
I thiid: the feeling is unfounded. They are industrious ami
hard v.'orking, thougli they are, I own, somewhat disposed
to resist authority, and there is more >iiliiculty in obtaining
the quota of men from Goslum for the execution of public
works than from any other of the i)rovinces of Egypt."

"Do they ditier from us in appearance, father?"

"Considerably, Chebron. They are somewhat fairer than
we are, their noses aie more a(|uiline, and they are physi-
cally stronger. They do not shave their heads as we'do, and
they generally let the hair on their faces grow. For a long
time after their settlement I believe that they worshipped
tlieir own gods, or rather their own God, but they have long
adopted oUi!" religion."

"Surely that must be wrong," Chebron said. "Each nation
has its gods, and if a people forsake their own gods it is not
likely that other gods would care for them as they do for
their own people."

"It is a difficult question, Chebron, and one which it is
bR:!.l for you to leave alone at ]iresent. You will soon enter
nito the lower grade of the priesthood, and, although if you
«io not pass into th j upper i:;rades you will never know the

respec
things
as if 1
want
"11

rizzLiNO (,ui;sTiuNs.

f;p'ator mysteri-'s, you \vill yet leurn enough to enlighten
vuu ti> some extent."

( liebron was too well trained 'n the respect «iue to a
paient to ask further questions, hut he lenewed the subject
witli Anuiba as they strolled in the garden together after-
wan is.

*" I wonder how each nation found out who were the gods
\\\u) s])ecially cared for them, Amiiha?"

'• I liav(! no idea," Anuiha, who had nevtu* given the suh-
jtct a thought, leplied. " Vou are always asking j>u//.ling
(jiicstions, (Jhehron."

"Well, hut it must have been somehow," Chebron in-
sisted. "JJo you su])[)ose that anyone ever saw our gods I
and if not, how do peo}>le know that one lias the head of a
(lug ami another of a cat, or what they are like? Are some
uods stronger than others, because all people oiler sacrifices
to the gods and ask for their liel[) l)efore going to batth^]
Some are beaten and some are victorious; some win to-day
and lose to-morrow. Is it that these irods are stronujer one
(lay than another] or that they do not care to help their
jK'ople sometimes? Why do they not j)reivent their temples
fiom beini:; burned and their images from being thrown
down? it is all very strange."

" It is all very strange, Chebron. I was not long ago
asiung Jethro nearly the same (juestion, but he con' I give
me no answer. Why do you not ask your fathei he is
one of the wisest of the Egyptians]"

"I have asked my father, but he will not ansu.r me,"
Chebron said thoughtfully. "I think sometimes ''iat it is
hecause I have asked these questions that he doe> not wish
nie to become a high-priest. 1 did not mean a . ; iung dis-
res[)ectful to the gods. But somehow when I want to know
things, and he wdll not answer me, I think he looks sadly,
as if he was sorry at heart that he could not tell me what I
want to know."

" Have you ever asked your brother NecoT'

A .loDlNKY DOWN TIiK MM:.

"Oil, Neco is ditrcroiit," (MH'])r()ii s;ii(l with an ncroiit
almost of <li.s(l;iin. " Neco ucN into passions ami f liiratcii-.
me with ull soi'ts of thiiiLTs; l)Ut I can sec he knows no moic
alioiit it than 1 do, for lie has a bewildercil look in his face
when 1 ask him these things, and once or twice he has |iui
hi> hands to liis eai-s and fairly rnn away, as if I was saying
S(»methin:Li; altoLjether })r(.»fanc. and imidoiis against tin; i;'od-,

( )n tile following <lay tiie iii^i^h-priest and ins ]>ai'tv siaiteil
for ( loshcn. Tlie first portion of the journey was pei'foinicil
hy water. Tiie craft was a hir^e one, with i pavilion of
carved wood on deck, and two masts, with ^Mcat .sails of
many colours cnniunuly woi'ked t()ii;(>ther. I'eisons of con-
se(|uence travelling in this way were, genei'ally ;i.ccoinpanic'l
hy at least two or three musicians playini,^ on harjts, truni-
pets, or pi[)es; for the K:j;y})tians were jiassionateiy fond oi
music, and no feast was thou.ght complete without a l>anil
to discour.se soft music while it was uoiiiLi; on. The instiu-
mcnts were of tin; most varied kinds; stringed instruments
predominated, and these vn.i-ied in si/e fi(»m tiny instruments
resemhliuLi; /ithei-s to hurps much lariici' than those used in
modern times. In addition to thes(i they had trumpets of
many forms, reed instrumiMits, cyndtals, and dcums, the ]a>t
named lonii; and narrow in shape.

Ameres, liowever, although not aversi; to music after the
evening meal, was of too practical a character to care for it at
other times. He considered that it was too often an excuse
for doing nothinii' and thinking of nothing, and therefore
dispensed with it except on state occasions. As they Hoated
down tlie river he ex])lained to his son the various objects
wh.ich they passed; told him the manner in which the fishei
men in their high bo. us made of wooden jilanks boun<l
together ])y ru.<-hes, or in smaller crafts shaped like punts
formed entirely of jiapyrus bound together with bands of the
same plant, caught the fish; pointed out the entrances to the
vai'ious canals, and explained the working of the gates which
admitted tlie water; gave him the histor}' of the variou-

temple?
haskini
iial.its
poiiitec
tliov Wi
•'Th
The gr
though
lahour
caused
mauso
nt jud;^'
After a

liic qui
W.dl I

a tittiiii
which
he has
and tilt

TUn I'YIIAMIDS.

timplos, tou'ns, and villncjos; named tho many wator-fowl
!i;i-kiiii,' on tii(! surface of tlic rivor, and told iiitii of tlinr
liii'tits and iiow they were (:aj)tiired by the fowlers; he
pimited out the great toni})s to liini, and told him l>y wiiom
they were built,

''The largest, my son, are monuments of j)ride and folly.
The lireatest of the itvramids was imilt Itv a king wlio
thought it would innnortalize iiiui; hut so terril)le was the
lahour that its construction intlieted upon the people that it
caused him to he execratetl, and he was uever laid in the
iiiaus(»leum he had l)uilt for hiiuself. \(m see our custom
iif judging kings after their death is not without advantages.
After a king is dead the people- are gathei'(Ml together and
ilie (juestion is put to them, Jfas the dead monarch ruled
well ? If tiiey reply with assenting shouts, he is huried in
It tilting torn!) which he has prohaljly prepared for himself, or
whicii his successor raises to hiui; hut if the .c. wer is that
he has reigned ill, the sacred rites in his honuur -e omitted
and the mausoleum he has raised stands empty for ever.

'■'{'here are few, indeed, of our kings who have thus
merited the execration of their jieople; foi" as a I'ule the
(aivful manner in wiiich tiiey are brought up, surrounded
li\ youths chosi^n for their piety and learning, and the fact
that they, like the meanest of their subjects, are boiuid to
respect the laws of the land, act as sutlicient check u[»on
them. l)Ut there is no dou))t that the kiu)wledge that after
death they must be judged l)y the people exercises a whole-
some restiaint even u})on the most icckless."

"I long to see the pyramids," ('hel)ron said. "Are they
huilt of l)rick or stone, for I have been told that their sur-
face is so smooth and shiny that they look as if cut from
a single piece?"

"They are built of vast blocks of stone, each of wln'ch
ciiij)loyed the labour of many hundreds of men to transport
from the tpiarries where they were cut."

"Were they the work of slaves or of th*; jieople at large]"

( 4M )

HONOTTK TO THK flODS.

((

Vast ninnlHTS of slaves ciiptiirod in war labourod ;it

lern, the ])n('st reimcd. "Ilut mniHTous as tiii'se w(Mf
they were wliollv insiirticieiit i(\r the woi-k, and wcll-ni-li
lialf tlie ])('0{)h3 of KLryi)t were forced to I«rave their homes
to la))0ur at tlieiii. So ,i;reat was the liiuih'ii and distress
that even ii(»w the l»nilders of these jiyt'uiiiids aie never
spoken of save with curses; and rightly so, for what mit^lit
not hav(; l)eon (h)ne with tlie sa)n(! lahour nsefnlly einphtyed 1
Why, th(i nnnd)er of th(! <'anals in tlie cotnitry mlLiht he
(hjuhh'd and the fertility of the soil vastly increased. Va>t
tracts nn^lit have been r«!cl;dnie(l from the marshes and
shallow lakes, and the produce of the land might, have been
don.bled."

"And what splendid tcmi)les might have been raised 1"
Chel)ron said enthusiastically.

"])oul)tless, my son," the i)riest said (piietly after a slight
pause. "Hut tliough it is meet and right that the tenijiles
of the gods shall be wort^hy of them, still, as we hold that
the gods love Kgypt and rejoic(^ in the ])rosperity of the
people, I think that tliey miglit have j)referred ho vast an
improvement as the works I speak of would have ert'ected
in t'ni co)'dition of the j)eople, even to the laising of long
aveniiiis of sphinxes and goigeous teiiij>les in their own
honour."

"Yes, one would think so," Chebror said thoughtfully.
"And yet, father, wo are always taught that our highest
duty is to pay honour to the gods, and that 'n no way can
money be so well spent as in raising fresh temoles and add-
ing to the beauty of those that exist."

"Our highest duty is assuredly to pay honour to the
gods, Chebron ; but how that honour can l)e paid most
acce})tab]y is another and deeper ({uestion which you are a
great deal too young to enter upon. It will be time enough
for you to do that years hence. There, do you see thur
tem[)le standing on the right bank of the river 1 — that is
where we stop for the night. 3Iy messenger will have

l^rcpa

I'er U:

l"'"l»

•i

A l;.VN(,»l KT.

.v:i

d:"

:>f lout;

|iro)iare<l them for our romiiv^, ami all will be in readiness

[•>V IIS.

As they ajiproaclied the temple they saw a nuinher of
people <j;atliere(l on the ^'reat stone steps reaehini; down to
tin; waters-edge, and strains of music were heard. ( )n
l.iiKlini,' Ameres was greeted with tlie greatest respect l)y
the priests all bowing to the groinid, while those of inferior
order knelt with their faces to the earth, and did not raise
tliriii until lie had passed on. As soon ,'is he entered the
temple a procession was formed. I'liests licaiing s;tci'e(i
vessels and the symbols of the gods walked before him to
tiie altar; a band of unseen musicians stiuck up a pro-
cessional air; jtiiestesses and maidens, also carrying otl'erings
and emblems, followed Ameres. He naturally took the [>iin-
cipal i)art in the sacrifice at the altar, cutting the throat
of the victim, and making the oilering of the parts sjiecially
set aside for the gods.

After the ceremonies were concluded the procession moved
ill order as far as the house of the clii(;f priest. Here all
again saluted Ameres, who entered, followed by his son and
attendants. A baiKpiet was already in readiness. To this
Ameres sat down with the ])rineipal priests, while ("hebion
was conducted to the apartment j)rej)ared for him, where
food from the high table was served to hin». Anuiba and
the rest of the suite of the high -priest were served in
another apartment. As soon as Chebron had finished he
joined Amuba.

"Let us slip away," he sai(h "The feasting will goon
for hours, and then there will l)e music far on into the ni^ht.
My father will be heartily tired of it all; for he loves plain
food, and thiid^s that the priests shouhl eat none other.
Still, as it would not be polite for a guest to remark upon
the viands set before him, 1 know that he will go through
it all. I have heard him say that it is one of the greatest
trials of his position that whenever he travels people seem
to think that a feast must Ikj prepared for him; whereas I

ECYI'TIAN IMI,L(»\VS.

know ho would rather sit (h>wn to a disli of ])oil(^(l lentils
and wator tiian havu tlio ricliest. dishi's set hefore iiini."

" Fs it p»in_i; to ]>e like tliis all the journey I" Aniuha
uskeci.

"()h, no! I know that all tho way down tlin river we
shall rest at a teiiii>li', foi' did ni" fatlifi" not do so the
|»ri(!sts would roi^ard it as a slii:;lit , hut then we leave thf
hoat an«l jouiney in ehariots or hullock-rarts. AN'hen \\r
leaeh (losh(!n wo shall liv(^ in a little liouse which ni\
fath(!r lias had eonst iiicte(l f(»r him, and where we sli;ill
liav(3 no niort! fuss an<l ecucniony than \\v do at our own
farm, 'riieii he will he; oeeupied with the all'airs of the
estates ami in th(! woiks of ini^ation; and although we
shall h(^ with him \vhe!i lit! journeys ahout. as 1 am to hcLrin
to learn the duties of a suj)erintendeiit, I exiiect wo shall
liavo plenty of time for a!in»c<ement and sport."

They strolled for an hour or two on the haid< of the
river, for the moon was shininjz; hriyhtly and numy hoats
were passin;:; up and <lown; the latte" drifted with the
stream, for tlui wind was so li^lit that the sails wore scare*'
idled, tlu; former kept close to the haid\, and weie either
pro|)elled hy long poles or towed hy pai'ties of men on the
hank. When they rciturm^l to the house they listened foi- a
time to the nuisic, and then retired to their rooms. Anndta
lay down upon tlie soft couch made of a layer of huh'ushes,
covered with a thick woollen cloth, and reste<l his head on
a |»illow of hulrushes which dethi'o had hound up for him;
for neither of the llahn had learned to adopt the Egyptian
fiishion of using a stool for a pillow.

'rh(!se stools were huig, and somewhat curved in the
nu(hlle to tit the neck, h'or the common people they were
roughly made of wood, smoothe(l where the head came;
hut the head-stools of the wealthy wore constructed of
ehony, cedar and other scarce woods, heautifully inlaid
with ivory. Anud)a had nuido several tiials of those head-
stools, hut liad not once succeeded in going to sleej) with

orio
at'lii
ru>ht

tlie S

an ai
the
liini^
in w
citht
cram
hani
l'<
then

MKMIMIIS.

^:»

orifi nndor lii.s lio;i<l, hulf iin hour siitliciiiL; to ra)isn such ati
acliin.L; uf his neck tliat h«! was ^hul to take to the jtillnw uf
rushes to which iiu was acciistomotl. Iiuh'cd, to sleep iijhim
the slt)ol-{>illows, it was necessary to He upon tlie siih' with
an arm so placeil as to raise th(! hea«l to the (!.\act i(!Vel of
tlie stool, autl as Ainnha had heen aecustonieil to throw
liini'Sisif down and sleep on his hack or any other positioti
in which lie lirst lay, for lie was _i;ent!rally thoiou.uhly tired
either in liuntinL; ur hy exercise of arms, he found the
ciainped a]id tixed })osition necessary for sleeping with a
iiard stool al)S()hitely intolerahU;.

For a week the joiirncjy down tlu^ river contiiuieil, a!id
then tlu^y arrived at iMeni|ihis, wlnsro they remained f.»r
some days. Ameres passed the time in ceremonial visits and
in taking part in the saciiiic(!s in the tem|ih!. (,'hehron an<l
Aniuha visited all the ttMnples and j)uhlic huildinu's, and one
day went out to inspect the great pyramids attended by
Jcthro.

"This snrj)ass(!s anything I have seen," .lethro said as
th(!y stood at the foot of the great pyramid of Cheops.
"What a wondtuful structure, but what a frightful waste of
hunian labour!"

"It is marvellous, indeed," Amuba said. "What wealth
and power a monaich must have had to raise such a
colossal pile! 1 tliouglit you said, Chebron, that your kings
were bound l)y laws as well as tther people. If so, how
could this king have exacted such terril)le toil and labour
fruni his subjects as this must have cost]"

"Kings should be boiiml by the l;iws," I'hebron replie<l;
"hut there are some so puw.rful and haughty that they
tyrannize over the peo])le. Cheops was one of them. My
father has been telling e that he gr(»und down the people
to build this wondeiful tomb for himself. But he had
his reward, for at his funeral he had to be judged })y
tile public voice, and tlie public condemned him as a bad
and tyrannous king. 'Iherefote he was not allowed to

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Photographic

Sdences

Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STPCET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14S80

(716)872-4503

AN EGYPTIAN FARMHOUSE.

be buried in the great tomb tliat he had built for him-
self. I know not where his remains rest, but this hug«^
pyramid stands as an eternal monument of the failuic
of human ambition — the greatest and costliest tomb in tlie
world, but witliout an occupant, save that Theliene, one of
his queens, was buried here in a chamber near that destined
for the king."

"The people did well," Jethro said lieartilj'; "but they
would have done better still had they risen ai^uinst him and
cut off his head directly they understood the labour he was
setting them to do."

On leaving Memphis one more day's journey was made
by water, and the next morning the party started by land.
Ameres rode in a chariot, wiiich was similar in form to thosr
used for war, except that the sides were much higher, form-
ing a sort of deep open box, against which those standing in
it could rest their bodies. Amubaand Chebron travelled in
a wagon drawn by two oxen, the rest of the party walked
on foot.

At the end of two days they arrived at their destination.
The house was a small one compared to the great mansion
near Thebes, but it was built on a similar plan. A higli
wall surrounded an inclosure of a quarter of an acre. In
the centre stood the house with one laigo apartment for
general purposes, and small bod-chambers opening from it
on either side. The garden, although small, was kept with
scrupulous care. Kows of fruit-trees afforded a pleasant
shade. In front of the house there was a small pond boi"
dered with lilies and rushes. A ^iubian slave and his .vife
kept everything in readiness for the owner whenever hn
should appear. A larger retinue of servants was unneces-
sary, as a cook and barber were among those who travelled
in the train of Ameres. The overseer of the estate was in
readiness to receive the high-priest.

" 1 have brought my son with me," Ameres said when
the c*^remonia). observances and salutations were concluded

EtSYl'llAN CASTES.

"lie is iif'hv:, to coniincnci! his stmlics in iriT^ntion, but I
sliiiil not ii;ivt3 time at present to instruct liini. 1 wish liini
to lu'oonie proficient in out-chwr exercises, iiml Im'::; you to
procure men skilled in fishini^, fowling, and hunting, so
that he can amuse his unoccupied hours with sport. At
Tlichcs he has but rare opi)ortunities for these matters; for,
excepting in the ])reserves, game has become well-nigh
extinct, while as for fowling there is none of it to be
had in Upper Egyjjt, wliile here in the marshes birds
ahound,"

The suj)erintendent promised tliat suitalde men sliould be
forthcoming, one of each caste; for in Kgy|>t men always
followed the occupation of their fathers, and each branch
of trade was occupied by men forming distinct castes, who
married only in their own caste, worked just as tlieir fathers
had done before them, and did not dream of change or ele-
vation. Thus the fowler knew nothing about catching fish,
or the fisliermen of fowling, lioth, however, knew some-
thing about hunting; for the slaying of the hyenas, who
carried oft" the young hunbs and kids from the villages, and
the great river-horses, whicii came out and devastated the
tields, was a part of the business of every villager.

The country where they now were was for the most part
well cultivated and watered by the canals, which were ftlled
when the Nile was high.

A day's journey to the north lay Lake Menzaleh — a great
sliallow lagoon, which stretched away to the Great Sea, froui
which it was separated only by a narrow l)aidc of sand.
The canals of the Nile reached nearly to the edge of this,
and when the river rose above its usual height and threat-
eiied to inundate the country beyond the usual hmits, and
to injure insteatl of benefiting the cultivators, great gates
at the end of these canals would be opened, and the
water find its way into the lagoon. There W(!re, too, con-
nections between some of the lower arms of the Nile and
the lake, so that the water, although salt, was less so than

LAKE MENZALEII.

that of the sea. The lake was tlie abode of innumeraMe
water-fowl of all kinds, and swarnie*! also with fish.

These lakes formed a fringe along the whole of tlu-!
northern coast of Egypt, and it was from these and the
swampy land near the mouths of the Nile that the greater
portion of the fowl and fish that formed important items in
the food of the Egyptians was drawn. To the south-east
lay another chain of lakes, whose water was more salt than
that of the sea. It was said that in olden times these had
been connected by water both with the (Jieat Sea to the
North and the Southern Sea; and even now, when the
south wind blew strong, and the waters of the Southern
Sea were driven up the gulf with force, the salt water
ilowed into Lake Timsah, so called because it swarmed
with crocodiles.

" I shall be busy for some days, to begin with," Ameres
said to his son on the evening of their arrival, "and it will
therefore be a good opportunity for you to see something
of the various branches of sport that are to be enjoyed in
this part of Egypt. The steward will place men at yonr
disi)o.sal, and you can tale with you Amuba and Jethro.
He will see that there are slaves to carry provisions and
tents, for it will be necessary for much of your sport that
you rise early, and not improbably you may have to sleep
close at hand."

In the morning Chebron had an interview with tlie
steward, who told him that he had arranged the plan for an
expedition.

" You will find little about here, my lord," he said.
"beyond such game as you would obtain near Thel;es.
But a day's journey to the north you will be near the
margin of the lake, and there you will get sport of all kinds,
and can at your will iish in its waters, snare water-fowl,
hunt the great rivor-horse in the swamps, or chase the
hyena in the low bushes on the sand-hills. I have ordeied
all to be in readiness, and in an hour the slaves with the

A HUNTING EXPEDITION.

provisions will be ready to start. The hunters of this part
of the country will he of little use to you, so 1 have orderetl
one of my chief men to accompany you.

•'He will see that when you arrive you obtain men skille<l
in the sport, and acquainteil with the locality ami the habits
(if the wild creatures there. jMy lord your father said you
would j)robably be away for a week, and that on your
r»'turn you would from time to time have a day's hunting in
these parts. He thought that as your tim ; will be mote
occupied then, it were better that you should make this dis-
tant expedition to begin with."

An hour later some twenty slaves drew up before the
house, carrying on their heads, provisions, tents, and other
necessaries. A horse was jtrovided for Chebron, but he
decided that he w^ould walk with Amuba.

"There is no advantage in going on a horse," he said,
" when you have to move at the j)ace of footmen, and pos-
sibly we may find something to shoot on the way."

The leader of the party, uj)on hearing Chebron's decision,
told him that doubtless when they left the cultivated
country, which extended but a few miles further north, game
would be found. Six dogs accompanied them. Four of
them were powerful animals, kept for the chase of the more
formidable beasts, the hyena or lion, for although there were
no lions in the Hat country, they abounded in the broken
grounds at the foot of the hills to the south. The other
two were much more lightly built, and were capable of
running down a deer. Dogs were held in high honour in
Kgypt. In some parts of the country they were held to be
sacred. In all they were kept as companions and friends in
the house as well as for the purposes of the chase. The
season was the cold one, and the heat was so much less than
they were accustomed to at Thebes — where the hills which
inclosed the plain on which the city was built cut ott' much
of the air, and seemed to reflect the suns rays down upon
it — that the walk was a pleasant one.

A IIAIIDLY-TUEATED RACE.

Cliobron and Amuba, rarryiiij; thoir bows, walked aloiii,',
chattin*^ ll,ii\\y at tlie head of the jMrtv. Jetliro and Ivultan
tlie forenKin came next. Tlien folK^wcd two slaves, Iradiin,'
the doi^s in leashes, ready to be sli|»[)ed at a moment's notice,
whilr th(? carriers followed in the rear. Occasionally tlicv
jiasscd through scattered villages, where the women caiiit-
to their doors to look at the strangers, and whore generally
otl'erings of milk and fruit were made to them. The men
were for the most ])art at work in the fields.

"They are a stout-looking race. Stronger and more
bony than our own people," Chebron remarked to the leader
of the party.

"They are stubborn to deal with," he replied. "They
till their ground well, and pay their portion of the produce
without grund)ling, but when any extra labour is asked of
them there is sure to be trouble. It is easier to manage
a thousand Egyptian jjcasaiits than a hundred of these
Israelites, and if forced labour is required for the public
service it is always necessary to bring down the troops
before we can obtain it.

" But indeed they are hardly treated fairly, and have
sufTcn-ed much. They arrived in Egypt during the reign of
I'sertuen I., and had land allotted to them. During the
reign of the king and other successors of his dynasty they
were held in favour, and multiplied greatly; but when the
Theban dynasty succeeded that of Memphis, the kings, find
ing this foreign people settled here, and seeing that they
were related by origin to the shepherd tribes who at various
times have threatened our country from the east, and have
even conquered portions of it and occupied it for long
periods, they regard them with hostility, and have treated
them rather as prisoners of war than as a portion of the
j)eople. Many burdens have been laid upon them. They
have had to give far more than their fair share of labour
towards the public works, the making of bricks, and the
erection of royal tombs and pyramids."

WOMEN OF SIM KIT.

d alofii,',

(1 l^lliUli

, It'uditi^
s notice,

lily they
en caiiii'
C(?nerully
The men

id havo
reij^ni (if
ing tlui
ity they
hen the
gs, find-
at tliey
various
d have
3r lon,:,^
treated

of the
They

labour
ad the

"It is strani^e that they do not shave their heads as do
our i)eoiile," Chebron said.

" l)Ut I do not," Aniuba lauglied, "nor Jethro."

" It is ditlerent with you," Chebron replied. " Yoii do
not labour and get the dust of the soil in your hair,
llesides, you do kee|) it cut (juite short. Still, I think you
would be more comfortable if you followed our fashion."

"It is all a matter of habit," Amuba replie«l. "To us,
when we first came here, the sight of all the poorer people
going about with their heads shaven was <|iiite reptdsivo
— and as for comfort, surely one's own hair must be more
comfortable than the great wigs that all of the better class
wear."

" They keep off the sun," Chebron said, " when one is out
of doors, and are seldom worn in the house, and then when
one comes in one can wash off the dust."

" I can wash the dust out of my hair," Amuba said.
"Still I do think that these Israelites wear their hair in-
conveniently long; and yet the long plaits that their women
wt'ar down their back are certainly graceful, and the women
tiieniselves are fair and comely."

Chebron shook his head. "They may be fair, Amuba,
hut 1 should think they wotdd make very troublesome
wives. They lack altogether the subdued and submissive
look of our women. They would, I should say, have opinions
of their own, and not be submissive to their lords; is that
not so, Rabahl"

" The women like the men have spirit and fire," the fore-
man answered, "and have much voice in all domestic matters;
but I do not know that they have more than with us. They
can certainly use their tongues; for, at times, when soldiers
have been here to take away gangs of men for public works,
they have more trouble with tiiem than with the men. The
latter are sullen, but they know that they must submit; but
tlie women gather at a little distance and scream curses and
abuse at the troops, and sometiuica e\en pelt them with

A STAO HUNT

RtoncR, knowing that the soldiers will not draw woapon n|tnn
thcin, althouj^h not unfrccjuently it is necessary in order to
]»nt a stop to the tumult to haul two or three of thrir
leaders off to prison."

"I thought they were viragoes," Chebron saiil witli u
laugh. " I would rather hunt a lion than have the wointii
of (»nc of these villages set up<»n me."

In a few miles cultivation hecanio more rare; sand hill>
took the place of the level fields, and only lu^re aud thert- in
the hollows were jiatches of cultivated ground. Hahah now
onlered the slave leading the two Heet dogs to keep cl<ise
up and bo in rea<liness to slip tlmm.

"We may see deer at any time now," he said. •'Tlicv
abound in these sandy deserts which form their shelter, ami
yet are within easy distance of fields where when such
vegetation as is here fails them they can go for food."

A few minutes later a deer starte<l from a clump of bushes.
The dogs were instantly let slip and started in pursuit.

" Hurry on a hundred yards and take your ]>osition on thiit
mound!" Ka})ah exclaimed to Chebron, while at the saiiic
time he signalled to the slaves behind to stop. "The do-^s
know their duty, and you will see they will presently drive
the stag within shot."

Chebron called Amuba to follow him and ran forward.
By the time they reached the mound the stag was far away,
with the dogs labouring in pursuit. At present they seeiiiLMJ
to have gained but little, if at all, upon him, and all were
soon hidden from sight among the sand hills. In spite of
the assurance of Kabah the lads had doubts whether tho
dogs would ever drive their quarry back to the spot where
they were standing, and it was full a quarter of an hour
before pursuers and pursued came in sight again. The pace
had greatly fallen ofi*, for one of the dogs was some twenty
yards behind the stag, the other was out on its flank at
about the same distance away, and was evidently aiding in
turning it towards the spot where the boys were standing.

A (JOOn SHOT.

" Wo will shoot toijother," Chohron said " If. will coino
within Hfty yanis of us."

Tlioy waited until the staj; was ahreast of them. The
(joLj on its Hank had now fallen hack to the side of his
colli panion as if to leave the staj; clear for thu arrows of the
liiiiitcrs. The lads tired together just as the stai; was aljreast ;
liiit it was running faster than they Iwul allowed for, an«l
liutii arrows Hew heliiml it. They uttered ex«'lanuitions of
disappointment, hut hefore the deer had run twenty yards
it giive a sudden leap into the air and fell over. .Icthro
IiihI crept up and taken his post hehind some hushes to the
left of the clump in readiness to shoot should the others
miss, and his arrow had hrouglit the stag to the ground.

"Well done, .lethro!" Amuha shouted. "It is so long
since I was out hunting that 1 seem to have lost my skill;
but it matters not since we have hrought him down."

The dogs stood quiet heside the deer who was struggling
on the ground, heing too well trained to interfere with it.
-Icthro ran out and cut its throat. The others were soon
standing heside it. It was of a sj)ecies smaller than those
to which the deer of Europe helong, with two long straight
hdriis.

" It will make a useful addition to our fare to-night,"
Kahah said, "although, perhaps, some of the other sorts are
JH'ttcr eating."

"Do the dogs never pull them down by themselves?"
Amu ha asked.

"Very seldom. These two are particularly fleet, hut I
doubt whether they would have caught it. These deer can
run for a long time, and although they will let dogs gain
upon them they can leave them if they choose. Still I have
known this couple run down a deer when they could not
succeed in driving it within bowshot; but they know very
well they ought not to do so, for, of course, tle(?r aie of no
use for food unless the animals are properly killed and the
blood allowed to escape."

II Y F.N AS.

Several otlicr stags were started, l)ut these all esra|»e«l,
the doj's heiiii' too t:itii'uu<l with their first run to he alilo
to keep u|) with tliein. The otiier (1ol,'.s wore tlierefort;
unloosed and allowed to range ahout the country. They
started 8<'veral hyenas, some of which tin-y themselves
killed; others they hroiight to luiy until the lads ran uji
and despatched th(;m with their arrows, while others whi< li
took to tligl t in sutticient time got safely away, for the
hyena, unless overtaken just at the start, can run long an'l
swiftly and tire out heavy dogs such as those the party hud
with them.

After walking some fifteen miles the lads stopped suddenly
on the hrow of a sand hilL In front of them was a wide
expanse of water hordered hy a hand of vegetation. I^ong
rushes and aquatic plants formed a band hy the water's-
edge, while here and there iiuts with patches of cultivated
ground dotted the country.

" We are at the end of our journey," Rabah said. "Tlu'so
huts are chieHy iidiabited by fowlers and fishermen. ^^ C
will encamp at the foot of this mound. It is better for us
not to go too near the margin of the water, for the air is
not salubrious to those unaccustomed to it. The best hunt
ing ground lies a few miles to our left, for there, when the
river is high, floods come down through a valley which is at
all times wet and marshy. There we may expect to find
game of all kinds in abundance."

CHAPTER VI.

FOWLING AND FISHING.

THE tents, which were made of light cloth intended to
keep off the night dews rather than to aflibrd warmth,
were soon lutched, fires were lighted with fuel that htnl

A LOVKI.Y Vir.W.

[)rt

l(prn hrouj^bt with them in order t(» save timo in searching
for it, and ItJil»aii \v«Mit off to soan^h for tish ami fowl. Ho
DtiirntMl in half an liuur witli u |it'a.sunt carrying four duct s
and several fine tish.

"We shall ilo now," ho said; "with tliese and tlie sta.L;
(iiir larder is conii»lete. Everything but n«eat we have
l.roiii^dit with us."

C'iifhron, although he had kept on hravoly, was fati<;u(Ml
with his walk and was •;lad to throw himself down on the
sand and enjoy the jirospiM t whi<'h to him was a new one,
fui he ha«l luiver Infore seen so wide an exjtanse of wat(!r.

\\ hen on the top of the hill he had made out a faint dark
line in the distance, and this Itabah told him was the hunk
of sand that separated the lake from the great sea. Now
from his present position this was invisible, and nothing
hut a wide ex[>anse of water stretching away until it aeemetl
to touch the sky met liis view. Here and there it was
dotted with (hirk patches which were, Ivabah told him,
tlunips of water fowl, and in the shallow water near the
margin which was l)Ut a (juarter of a mih; away he couM
scM' vast nunibers of wailing birds, white cranes, and white
and black ibises, while numbers of other water-fowl, looking
like black specks, moved about briskly among them.

Sometimes with loud cries a number would rise on the
wing, and either make off in a straight line across the water
or circle round and settle again when they found that their
alarm was groundless.

"It is lovely, is it not?" he exclaimed to Amuba, who
was standing beside him leaning on his bow and looking
over the water.

Anmba did not reply immediately, and Chebron looking
up saw that there were tears on his cheeks.

*' What is it, Amuba?" he asked anxiously.

" It is nothing, Chebron ; but the sight of this wide water
takes my thoughts homewanls. Our city stood on a sea
like this, not so large as they say is this great sea we are

9(1

IIO.MK, SWKIT IloMK.

looking; at, ))Ut far too lar«^o for tlio oy<' to gpo across, arnl it
was jiist Mui'h a view an tiiis tliat 1 lo<)|<«>il upon ilaily from
tlu! walls of our palace, save that th«5 shon's wito liitjlior."

'* Maybti you will Hee it again 8uniu day, Aniulta," Chebrnn
Bai<l j;ently.

Ainulni shook hJH h(>a<l.

"I ft'ar tlu! «li;in(«'s arc small in<loe«l, Chchron. Jetliio
and 1 have talked it over hundreds of times, and on uiii
route hither we had determine*! that if we fell into the
hands of harsh masters, we would at all hazards try some
day to make our escape; hut the jourimy is long and would
lie through countries subject to Kgypt. The p«'oplc of the
land to he jtassed over speak languages strange to us, and
it would he well nigh impossihh; to make the journey in
safety. Still we woidil have tried it. As it is, we aic
well contented with our lot, an«l should he mad indeed to
forsake it on the slender chances of finding our way hack to
the land of the Kehu, where, indeed, even if we reached it,
I might not he well rec<Mved, for who knows what king may
now he reigning there."

"And if you could get away and were sun; of arriving
there safely, would you exchange all the comforts of a
civilized country like Kgypt for a life such as you have
described to me among your own people?"

"There can be no doubt, Chebron, that your life here is
far more hixurious and that you are far more civilized than
the Kebu. 15y the side of j'our palaces our houses are but
huts. We are ignorant even of reading and writing. A
pile of rushes for our beds and a rough table and stools
constitute our furniture; but, perhaps, after all one is not
really happier for all the things you have. Vou may have
more enjoyments, but you have greater cares. I suppose
every man loves his own country best, but I do not think
that we can love ours as much as you do. In the first
place, we have been settled there but a few generations,
large numbers of our people constantly moving west, either

A FKEK 1,1 FE.

»T

l)y thotnfiolvcs or joining with onn of tho pooplos wim ptish
[iiist \\i from the far Kust; hcsith's, whrn-wr we went, wo
slioiiM t:ik«' our rountry witli us, hiiiM hoiisrs like those we
left hchiinl, live by the rhiise or tishini; in one phwe as
iiiiother, wliiie tlie M<:yi»tians could nowlien; find a country
like Ki;'y|>t. 1 HUppost! it is the people more than tlie routJtry,
the familiar lan,i;ua,iio, and the familiar faces mhI ways. I
L'raiit, frcjuly that the Kiryptians are a far greater people than
wc, more |»owerf(d, more learned, the masters of many arts,
the owners of many comt'orts and hixi ries, and yet one
hint's sonmtimes for one's free life amonj:^ the Itehu."

"One thint^ is, Amul»a, you were a prince there and you
are not liere. Had you hecn but a common man, born to
lahonr, to toil, or to ti,u'ht at the bidding' of your kinj^, y«)U
iiiiu'lit perhaps find that the life even of an l*i;.,'yptian peasant
is easier and more plea'^ant than yours was,"

"That may be," Afuuba sai«l tliou;:;ht fully, "and yet I
tliink that tlie very poorest amoni; us was far freer and
iiioic inilependent than the richest of your Ki^'vptian |>easauts.
He did not jijrovel on the ground when the kiii^' passe<l alon.;.
li was open to him if he was braver than his fellows to rise in
r;i!ik. He coulil fish, or hunt, or till the ^roun<l, or fashion
;iriiis as he chose; his life was not tied down by usai;e or
( I'stom. He was a man, a poor one, j)erhaps — a half savai,'e
one, if you will — but he was a num, while your Eii;yptian
|i('asants, free as they may be in name, are the very slaves
of law an<l custom. l>ut I see that the meal is ready, and
I liave a^ran«l appetite."

"So have I, Anniba. It is almost worth while walkint;
a long way for the sake of the appetite one gets at the
eii.l."

The meal was an excellent one. One of the slaves who
had been brought was an adept at cooking, and fish, birds,
and venison were alike excellent, and for once the vege-
t:tl»les that formed so large a i)ortion of the ordinary Kgyj)-
tian repast were neglected.

FOWLING.

"What are we going to do to-morrow, Rabah?" Chebron
asked after the meal was concluded.

" I have arranged for to-morrow, if such is your pleasure,
my lortl, that you shall go fowling. A boat will take yoii
along the lake to a point about three miles off where tlie
best sport is to be had, then when the day is over it will
carry you on another eight miles to the place I spoke to
you of where good sport was to be obtained. I shall meet
you on your landing there, and will have everything in
readiness for you."

" That will do well," Chebron said. " Amuba and Jethro,
you will, of course, come with me."

As soon as it was daylight Kabah led Chebron down to
the lake, and the lad with Amuba and Jethro entered the
boat, which wa^ constructed of rushes covered with pitch,
and drew only two or three inches of water. Two men with
long })oles were already in the boat, they were fowlers by
profession, and skilled in all the various devices by wliich
the water-fowl were captured. They had, during the night,
been preparing the boat for the expedition by fastening
rushes all round it; the lower ends of these dipped into the
water, the upi)er ends were six feet above it, and the ruslies
were so thickly placed together as to form an impenetrable
screen.

The boat was square at the stern, and here only was
there an opening a few inches wide in the rushes to enable
the boatman standing there to jiropel the boat with his pole.
One of the men took his station here, the other at the bow,
where he })eered through a little oj)ening between the rushes,
and directe<l his comrade in the stern as to the course he
should tak(\ Tn the bottom of the boat lay two cats who,
knowing that tlu'ir part was })resently to come, watched all
that was beinji; done with an air of intelliu;ent interest. A
l)asket well stored with provisions, and a jar of wine, weip
placed on board, and the boat then pushed noiselessly oflf.

Parting the reeds with their fingers and peeping out, the

GOOD SrORT.

l)f)Vs saw that the hoat was not makinj; out into the deoper
part of tlie lake, but was skirting the edge, keeping only a
tew yards out from the band of rushes at its margin.

"Do you keep this distance all the way/" Chebron asked
llie man with the pole.

The man nodded.

"As long as we are close to the rushes the water-fowl do
nut notice our approach, while were we to push out into the
middle they might take the alarm; although we often do
capture them in that way, but in that case we get to wind-
ward of the flock we want to reach, and then drift down
slowly upon them, but we shall get more sport now by
keeping close in. The birds are numerous, and you will
soon be at work."

In five minutes the man at the bow motioned his pas-
sengers that they were api)roaching a flock of water-fowl.
Kach of them took up his bow and arrows and stood in
readiness, while the man in the stern used his pole even
more (piickly and silently than before. Presently at a signal
from his comrades he ceased poling. All round the boat
there were slight sounds — low contented quackings, and
flutteiing of wings, as the birds raised themselves and shook
the water from their backs. Parting the lushes in front of
them, the two lads and Jethro peeped through them.

They were right in the middle of a flock of wild fowl
who were feeding without a thought of danger from the
clump of rushes in their midst. The arrows were already in
their notches, the rushes were }>arted a little further, and the
three shafts were loosed. The twangs of the bows startled
the ducks, and stopping feeding they gazed at the rushes
with heads on one side. Three more arrows glanced out,
but this time one of the birds aimed at was wounde<l only,
and uttering a cry of pain and terror it fiai)ped along the
surface of the water.

Instantly, with wild cries of alarm, the whole flock arosi;,
but before they had fa;!ly settled in their flight, two more

Il i

100

TIIUOWING-STICKS.

|! )

foil pierced with arrows. Tlie cats had hcen standing on
the alert, and as the cry of alarm was given leapt overboard
from the storn, and proceeded to pick up the dead duck-,
amon'j; which were included that which had at Hrst t^()^\Il
away, for it had drop[)ed in the water about fifty yards from
the boat. A dozen times the same scene was repeated until
some three score ducks and geese lay in the bottom of tin
boat. l>y this time the ])arty had ha<l enough of sj)ort, aii»i
had indeed lost the greater part of their arrows, as all whicii
failed to strike the bird aimed at went far down into tlie
deep mud at the bottom and could not be recovered.

"Now let the men show us their skill with their thiow
ing-sticks," Chebroii said. "You will see they will do beticr
with them than we with our arrows."

The men at once turned the boat's head towards a patch
of rushes growing from the shallow water a hundred yards
out in the lake. Numbers of ducks and geese were feedin<j
round it, and the whole rushes were in movement from those
swimming .an<l feeding among them, for the plants were just
at that time in seed. The birds were too much occupied to
mark the app!oach of this fresh clump of rushes. The men
had removed the screen from the side of the boat furthest
from the birds, and now stood in readiness, each holdiiii;
half-a-clozen sticks about two feet long, made of curved and
crooked wood.

When close to the birds the boat was swung round, and
at once with deafening cries the birds rose; but as they did
so the men with gieat rapidity hurled their sticks one after
another among them, the last being directed at the birds
which, feeding among the rushes, were not able to rise uh
rapidly as their companions. The lads were astonished at
the effect produced by these simple missiles. So closely
packed were the birds that each stick, after striking one,
whirled and twisted among the others, one missile frequently
Ininging down three or four birds.

The cats were in an instant at work. The flapping and

CURIOUS THINGS.

101

iioiso was prodigious, for althouuh many of the birds were
killiMl outrii'ht, otliers struck in the winir or Ic' were but
slightly injured. Some made off' aloii*; the suiiace of the
water, otliers succeetled in getting up and Hying away, but
the greater part were either killed by the cats, or knocked
on tlie head by the poles of the two fowlers. Altogether
twciitv-seven birds were added to the store in the boat.

"That puts our arrows to shame altogether, Amuba,"
Ciiebron said. "I have always heard that the fowlers on
these lakes were very skilled with these throwing-sticks of
theirs, but I could not have believed it possible that two men
should in so short a space have effected such a slaughter;
hut then 1 had no idea of the enormous quantities of birds
on these lakes."

Jethro was examining the sticks which, as well as the
ducks, had been retrieved by the cats.

"They are curious things," he said to Amiiba. "I was
thinking before the men used them that straicrht sticks
would be much better, and was wondering why they choose
curved wood, but I hu e no doubt now the sliai)e has some-
thing to do with it. You see as the men threw they gave
them a strong spinning motion. That seems the secret of
their action. It was wonderful to see how they whirled
about among the fowl, striking one on the head, another on
the leg, another on the wing, until they hai)pened to hit one
j)lump on the body; that seemed to stop them. I am sure
one of those sticks that I kept my eyes fi.xed on must have
knocked down six birds. I will ])ractice with these things,
and if I ever get back home I will teach their use to our
people. There are almost as many waterfowl on our sea as
there are here. 1 have seen it almost black with them down
at the southern end, where it is bordered by swamps and
reed-covered marshes."

"How do they catch them there, Jethro," Chebron
asked.

"They net them in decoys, and sometimes wade out

102

A CLEVER STUATAGEM.

among them with their heads liidden among floating boughs,
iiiul so gc-i near enough to seize them by the legs and jmll
tliem under water; in that way a man will catch a score of
them before their comrades are any the wiser."

" We catch them the same way here," one of the fowlers
who had been listening remarked. "We weave little bowers
just large enough for our heads and shoulders to go into,
and leave three or four of them floating about for some days
near the s|)ot where we mean to work, the wild fowl get
accustomed to them, and after that we can easily go among
them and caj)ture numbers."

" I should think fowling must bo a good trade," Chebron
said.

"It is good enough at times," the man replied; "but the
ducks are not here all the year. The long-legged birds aie
always to be found here in numbers, but the ducks are un-
certain, so are the geese. At certain times in the year they
leave us altogether. Some say they go across the great sea
to the north; others that they go far south into Nubia.
Then even when they are here they are uncertain. Some-
times they are thick here, then again there is scarce one to
be seen, and we hear they are swarming on the lakes further
to the west. Of course the wading birds are ot" no use for
food; so you see when the ducks and geese are scarce, we
have a hard time of it. Then, again, even when we have
got a boat load we have a long way to take it to market,
and when the weather is hot all may get spoilt before we
can sell them; and the price is so low in these parts when
the flocks are here, that it is hard to lay by enough money lo
keep us and our families during the slack time. If the great
cities Thebes and Memphis lay near to us, it would be dif-
ferent. They could consume all we could catch, and we
should get better prices, but unless under very favourable
circumstances there is no hope of the fowl keeping good
during the long passage up the river to Thebes. In fact
were it not for our decoys we should starve. In thes«*, of

DECOYS.

103

course, we take them alive, and send them in l>askets to
lliebes, and in that way get a fair price for them."

"What sort of decoys do you use?" .lethro ask<'d.

"Many kinds," the man replit-d. "Sometimes we arch
over tlie ruslies, tie them together at the top so as to form
long passages over little channels among the rushes; then
we strew corn over the water, and place near the entrance
(lucks which are trained to swim about outside until a flock
ionics near; then they enter the passage feeding, and the
others follow. There is a sort of door which they can push
aside easily as they pass up, but cannot open on their return."

"That is the sort of decoy they use in our country,"
J c thro said.

"Another w-ay," the fowler went on, "is to choose a spot
where the rushes form a thick screen twenty yards deejj
along the bank, then a light net two or three hundred feet
long is pegged down on to the shore liehind them, and thrown
over the tops of the rushes reaching to within a foot or two
of the water. Here it is rolled up, so that when it is shaken
out it will go down into the water. Then two men stand
among the rushes at the ends of the net, while another goes
out far on to the lake in a boat. When he sees a flock of
(lucks swimming near the shore he poles the boat towards
them; not so rapidly as to frighten them into taking flight,
but enough so to attract their attention and cause uneasiness.
He goes backwards and forwards, gradually a})proaching the
shore, and of course managing so as to drive them towards
the point where the net is. When they are opposite this he
closes in faster, and the ducks all swim in among the rushes.
Directly they are in, the men at the ends of the net shake
down the rolled-up part, and then the whole flock are
prisoners. After that the fowlers have only to enter the
rushes, and take them as they ti-y to fly upwards and are
stopped by the net. With luck two or three catches can
be made in a day, and a thousand ducks and sometimes
double that number can be captured. Then they are put

"It

■^

104

POULTUY FAHMS.

into flat baskets just high enough for them to stand in with
tlieir heads out through the openings at tiie top, and .so
put on board the boat and taken u]) the Nih3."

"Yes, I have often seen the baskets taken out of tliu
boat," Chebron said, "and thouglit how cruel it was to pack
them so closely. But liow do thcjy feed them, for they must
often be a fortnight on tlie wayl"

"Tlio trader who has bought them of us and other
fowlers waits until he has got enough together to freight
a large craft — for it would not pay to work upon a small
scale — accompanies them up the river, and fecMls them
regularly with little balls made of moistened Hour, just i!i
the same way that they do at the establishments in Uppor
Egypt, where they raise fowl and stutl' them for the markets.
If the boat is a large one, and is taking up forty or fifty
thousand fowl, of course he takes two or three boys to help
him, for it is no light matter to feed such a number, and
each must have a little water a& well as the meal. It seems
strange to us here, where fowl are so abundant, that peo})le
should raise and feed them just as if they were bullocks.
But I snpj)ose it is true."

"It is quite true," Chebron replied. "Amuba and I went
to jiie of the great breeding farms two or three months ago.
There are two sorts— one where they hatch, the other where
they fat them. The one we went to embraced both branches,
but this is unusual. From the hatching-places collectors go
round to all the })eople who keep fowls for miles round and
bring in eggs, and besides these they buy them from others
at a greater distance. The eggs are placed on sand laid on
the floor of a low chamber, and this is heated by means of
flues from a fire underneath. It requires great care to keep
the temperature exactly right; but of course men who pass
their lives at this work can regulate it exactly, and know
by the feel just what is the heat at which the eggs should
be kept

" There are eight or ten such chambers in the place wp

CHICKKN UilKi:i)ING.

105

V isited, so that every two or throe days one or otlier of them
iuitcht'S out and is ready for fr«;sh eg_i;s to be ])iit down. 'J'liO
|)('(ij»le who send tlie egj;s come in at the })ro|)L'r time and
receive each a ninnher of chickens in proportion to the e^u'gs
tliey have sent, one chicken being given for eacli two eggs.
Some hatcliers give more, some less; what remain over are
payment for their work, so you see they have to be very
careful about the hatching. If they can liatcli ninety
chickens out of every Inindre I eggs, it pays them very well;
liut if, owing to the heat being too great or too little, only
twenty or thiity out of every hundred are raised, they have
to make good the loss. Of course they always put in a
ureat many of the eggs they have themselves bought. They
ai<^ thus able to give the right number to their customers
even if the eggs have not turned out well.

"Those that remain after the proper number has been
•iiven to the farmers the breeders sell to them or to others,
it being no j)art of their business to bring up the chickens.
The fattening business is quite diflercnt. At these places
there are long rows of little boxes piled up on each other
into a wall five feet high. The door of each of these boxes
has a hole in it thiough which the fowl can put its head,
with a little sort of shutter that closes down on it. A fowl
is i)laced in each box. Then the attendants go round two
together: one carries a basket filled with little balls of meal,
the other lifts the shutter, and as the fowl puts its head
out catches it by the neck, makes it open its beak, and
with his other hand pushes the ball of meal down its throat.
They are so skilful that the operation takes scarce a mo-
ment; then they go on to the next, and so on down the
long rows until they have fed the last of those under their
charge. Then they begin again afiesh."

" Why do they keep them in the dark 1 " the fowler
asked.

"They told us that they did it because in the dark they
were not restless, and slept all the time between their meals.

I it. I

.•■;■■:*

IOC

A FllKSU CAMPING UilOUND.

Tlicn cacli time tlie flap is lifted -liey think it is (layli<,'ht,
and pop out tlicir heads at once to see. In al)Out ten
days tlicy g('tf|uite fat and pUinip, and ar<5 ready for market. "

•' It seems a wonderful deal of trouble," the fowler said.
**T)Ut, I suppose, as thoy have a fine market close at hand,
and can get good prices, it ])ays them. It seems moie
reasonable to me than the hatching business. Why they
should not let the fowl hatch their own eggs is more than I
can imagine."

" Fowls will l.qy a vastly greater number of eggs than they
will hatch," Clnd)ron said. "A well-fed fowl should liiy two
hundred and fifty eggs in the year; and, left to herself, she
will not hatch more than two broods of fifteen eggs in each.
Thus, you see, as it pays the peasants much better to rear
fowls than to sell eggs, it is to their profit to send their eggs
to the hatching-places, and so to get a hundred and twenty-
five chickens a year instead of thirty."

"I su])po&e it does," the fowler agreed. "But here we are,
my lord, at the end of our journey. There is the point
whcie we are to land, and your servant who hired us is
standing there in readiness for you. 1 hope that you are
satisfied with your day's s[)ort."

Chebron said they had been greatly pleased, and in a few
minutes the boat reached the landing-place where Kabali
was awaiting them. One of the fowlers, carrving a dozen of
the finest fowl they h:id killed, accomi>anied them to the
spot Kabah had chosen for the encampment. Like the last,
it stood at the foot of the sand-hills, a few hundred yards
from the lake.

"Is the place where we are going to hunt near here?"
was Chebron's first question.

" No, my lord ; it is two miles away. But, in accordance
with your order last night, I ha^'e arranged for you to fish
to-morrow. In the afternoon I will move the tents a mile
nearer to the country where you will hunt, but it is best
not to go too close, for near the edge of these great swamps

A day's kishinu.

lo;

tlio air is unlicalthy to those who are not accustoiiuMi

to it."

"1 long to get at the hunting," Chohron said; "but it is
hcttor, as you say, to have the day's lishing first, for the
work would seem tamo after the excitement of huntini; the
river-horse. We siiall be glud of our difituu* as soon as we
(•:i!i get it, for although w«! have done justice to the food you
jiut on board, we are <|uitc ready again, 'i'uelve hours ot'
tliis fresh air from the sea gives one the appetite of a
hyena."

" Everything is already in rea<liness, my lord. I thought
it better not to wait for the game you brought homo, which
will do well to-morrow, and so purchased fish an«l fowl from
the peasants. As we have seen your boat for the last two
or three hours, we were able to calculate the time of your
arrival, and thus have everything in readiness."

The dinner was similar to that on th(! previous day, except
that a hare took tlie place of the veiiison — a change for the
better, as the hare was a delicacy much appreciated by the
Egyptians. The following day was spent in fishing. For
this purpose a long net was used, and the method was pre-
cisely similar to that in u.se in modern times. One end of
the net was fastened to the shore, the net itself being coiled
up in the boat. This was rowed out ii«t he lake, the
fishermen l)aying out the net as it went. _i. circuit was
then made back to the shore, where the men seized the
two ends of the net and hauled it to land, capturing the
fish inclosed within its sweep. After seeing two or three
hauls made, the lads went with Jethro on board the boat.
They were provided by the fishermen with long two-
pronged spears.

The boat was then quietly rowed along the edge of the
rushes, where the water was deeper than usual. It was,
hov^^ever, so clear that they could see to the bottom, and with
their spears they struck at the tisii swin.ming there. At first
they were uniformly unsuccessful, us they were ignorant that

108

A VllXAiiE FKUD.

allowance must he ma«lo for diU'raction, and wcro puzzled at
tindinj^ that tlieir spears instead of ^<»in.i^ straij^iit down at
the tish they struck at, seemed to hend t)irat an angle at the
water's-edge. The fishermen, however, explained to them
that an allowance must he made for this, the allowance heiui,'
all the greater tiie greater the distance the lish was from tin;
hoat, and that it was oidy when it lay jtrecisely under thcjii
that they could strike directly at it. Ihit even after heiiig
instructed in the matter they succee«led hut poorly, and
presently laid down their spears and contented themselves
with watching their hoatmen, who rarely failed iu striking
and hriiiging up the ]>rcy they aimed at.

Presently tlieir attention was attracted to four boats, ea<li
containing from six to eight men. Two liad come from
cither direction, and when they nearcd each other volleys of
ahuse were exchanged between their occupants.

"What is all this about?" Chebron asked, as the two
fishermen laid by their spears, and with faces full of excite-
ment turned round to watch the boats.

"The boats come from two villages, my lord, between
which at present there is a feud arising out of some fishing
nets that were carried away. They sent a regular challenge
to each other a few days since, as is the custom here, and
their champions are going to fight it out. You see the
number of men on one side are eipial to those on the other,
and the boats are about the same size."

Amuba and Jethro looked on with great interest, for they
had seen painted on the walls representations of these fights
between boatmen, which were of common occurrence, the
Egyptians being a very combative race, and fierce feuds
being often carried on for a long time between neighbouring
villages. The men were armed with poles some ten feet in
length, and about an inch and a half in diameter, their
favourite weapons on occasions of this kind. The boats had
now come in close contact, and a furious battle at once com-
menced, the clattering of the sticks, the heavy thuds of tlie

A DRSPKRATE FTfiMT.

109

<r
O

llcii<re

lilows. and the shouts of the coinhatants crnatincr a clamoiir
that caustMl all the water-fowl within u cinlo of half a inilo
to tly .scrcaniinj; away across tlu^ laUe. The nicti all used
tlu'ir heavy vv('a|>on8 with cotisiderahh? ahility, the ,ureat»»r
part of the hlows heinj; wanloil otl*. Many, however, took
t'lVt'ct, some of the conihatants heiiiLj knocked into the
water, others fell prostrate in their ])oats, while some
(lr(>|iped their lon<^ staves after a disahlin^; hlow on the
urni.

" It is marvellous that they do not all kill each other,"
Jethro said. "Surely this shaving of the head, Amuha,
which has always struck us as hoing very pecidiar, has its
uses, for it must tend to thicken the skull, for sun^ly the
luads of no other men could have borne such blows without
being crushed like water-jars."

That there was certainly some ground for Jethro's suppo-
sition is prove 1 by the fact that Herodotus, long afterwards
writing of tht desperate conflicts between the villagers of
Egypt, asserted that their skulls were thicker than those of
any other people.

Most of the men who fell into the water scrambled back
into the boats and renewed the fight, but some sank imme-
diately and were seen no more. At last, when fully half the
men on each side had been put hors de combat^ four or five
having been killed or drowned, the boats separated, no
advantage resting with either party; and still shouting
defiance and jeers at each other, the men poled in the
direction of their respective villages.

"Are such desperate fights as these common]" Chebron
asked the fishermen.

"Yes; there are often quarrels," one of them rci»lied,
quietly resuming his fisliing as if nothing out of the ordi-
nary way had taken place. "If they are water-side villages
their champions fight in boat?, as you have seen; if not,
equal parties meet at a spot half way between the villages
and decide it on foot. Sometimes they fight with short

THK NKI.OOT.

Rticks, tlm harnl bcinj; jirotprtcd by a basket bilt, wbilo on
the left arm a piece of w<kh1, »;xt<'iMlirn^ from the ell)ow to
the tips of the tinkers, is fastcjuMl on by straps, stTviiiix as u
phic'M; l)ut niore usually they tight with the long polo, wliich
we call the neboot."

" It is a fine weai)on," Jothro said, "and tliny guard tlicir
heads with it atlniirably, sliding their hands far ajuirt. If
I were l)ack again, Anuiba, I should like to organize a n-gi
nient of men armed with those weapons. It would need
that the ]»art used as a guard should be covered with
light iron to prevent a sword or axe from cutting through it ;
but with that addition they would make splendi«I weapons,
and footmen armed with sword and shield would find it
hard inde(Hl to repel an assault by them."

"The drawback wouM l)e," Amuba observed, "that each
man would rcjiuire so much room to wield his weajKin that
they must stand far apart, and each would be opposed to
three or fotir swordsmen in the enemy's line."

"That is true, Amuba, and you have certainly hit upon
the weak [)oint in th<f use of such a weapon ; but for single
combat, or the fighting of broken ranks, they would be
grand. When we get back to Thebes if I can find any
peasant who can instruct me in the use of these nuboots 1
will certainly learn it."

"You ought to n)ake a fine player," one of the fishermen
said, looking at Jethro's powerful figure. *' I should not
like a crack on the head from a neboot in your hands, lint
the sun is getting low, and we had best be moving to the
point where you are to disembark."

"We have had another capital day, Rabah," Chebron said
when they reached their new encami>ment. " I hope that
the rest will turn out as successful."

" I think that I can promise you that they will, my lord.
I have been making intjuirios among the villagers, and find
that the swamp in the river - bed abounds with hippo-
potami."

TIIKY MUST r.K (nWAlMH.Y I'.r.WTS

1)1

" ITow do you hunt tlicni'? on foot V

"No, iny IohI. TIuto ia onoiiiili wat«!r in tlio rivcr-hcd
for the Hut boats made of hundlcs of rushes to \mM up,
whilo in many phiccH aro deep pools in which thu animals
lie durinj; tho heat of tho day."

•*ArtJ thtjy ferocious animals]" Amuha aakod. "I have
?i('V('r yet Keen one; for though they say that tiiey are roni-
iiion in the Upper Nile as well as found in swamps like this
at its mouth, there are none anywhere in the neii^hltourhood
of Thehes. I suppose that there is too nunii t rattle for
tlicm, and that they are afraid of showing tlu^mselves in
such water."

"Theie wouhi ))e no food for thnm," Kahah said. "They
are found only in swamps like this, or in {ilaces on the
I'pper Nile where the river is shallow and bordered with
a<|uatic plants, on whose roots they principally live. They
are timid creatures, and are found only in little fnM|ueiited
places. When struck they !.,'enerally try to make their escai>e;
for althou'^h occasionally they will rush with their enormous
mouth open at a boat, tear it in pieces, and kill the hunter,
this very .seldom happens. As a rule they try only to lly."

"They must be cowardly beasts" Jethro said .scoiufully.
"I would rather hunt an animal, be it ever so small, that
will make a fight for its life. However, we shall see."

Upon the following morning they started for the scene
of action. An exclamation of surprise broke from them
simultaneously Avhen, on ascending a sand-hill, they saw
l)efore them a ]»lain a mile wide extending at their feet. It
was covered with rushes and other aipiatio plants, and ex-
tended south as far as the eye could see.

" For one month in the year," Kabah said, " this is a river,
for eleven it is little more than a swamp, though the shallower
boats can make their way up it many miles. Kut a little
water always finds its way down either from the Nile itself
or from the canals. It is one of the few places of Northern
Egypt where the river-horse is still found, and none are

112

DANCJEKOL'S ENEMIES.

allowed to hunt them unless they are of sufficient rank to
obtain the permission of the governor of the province. The
stcnvard wn)te for and obtained this as soon as he knew by
letter from your father that you were accompanying liiiii,
and would desire to have some sport."

"Are there crocodiles there?" Amuba asked.

"Many," Kabah re])li«H', "althou<i;h few are now found in
the lakes. The people hei • are not like those of the Thebuii
zone, who hold them in high res|)ect — liere they regard
them as dangerous enemies, and kill them without mercy."

CHAPTER VII.

HIPPOPOTAMUS AND CROCODILE.

GUIDED by Rabah the party now descended to the
edge of the swamp. Here i.. the shallow water lay
three boats, or rather rafts, constructed of bundles of bul-
rushes. They were turned up in front so as to form a soit
of swan-necked bow, and in outline were exactly similar to
the iron of modern skates. Upon each stood a native with
a pole for pushing the rafts along, and three or four spears.
These were of unusual shape, and the lads examined them
with curiosity. They had Ijroad short blades, and thes«!
were loosely attached to the shafts, so that when the animal
was struck the shaft would drop out leaving the head em-
bedded in its Hesh. To the head was attached a cord which
was wound up on a spindle passing through a handle.

"Those rafts do not look as if they would carry three,"
Chebron said.

"They will do so at a push," the man replied; " l>ut they
are better with two only."

"1 will stop on shore, with your permission, Chebron,"

THE PUEV MARKED DOWN.

113

Jethro said. " I see there are a number of men here with
ropes. 1 suppose tliey have sonietliing to do with the busi-
ness, and 1 will accompany them. '

"The ropes are for hauling the beasts ashore after we have
struck them."

"Well, I will go and help pull them. I can do my share
at that, and should be of no use on one of those little rafts ;
indeed, I tiiink that my weight would bury it under the
water,"

"We have been out this morning, my lord," the boatman
said, addressing Chc.bron, " and have found out that there is
a river-horse lying in a pool a mile uj) the river. I think he
is a large one and will give us good sport."

Chebron and Amuba now took their places on the two
rafts; and the men, laying down the spcais and taking the
poles, pushed off from the shore. Noiselessly they made
tlieir way among the rushes. Sometimes the channels were
so narrow that the reeds almost brushed the rafts on both
sides; then they opened out into wide pools, and here the
water deepened so much that the poles could scarce touch
the bottom. Not a word was spoken, as the men had warned
them that the slightest noise would scare the liippopotami
and cause them to sink to the bottom of the pools, where
they would be difficult to ca]»ture. After half an hour's
poling they reached a pool larger than any that they had
hitherto passed, and extending on one side almost to the
bank of the river.

The man on his raft now signed to Che]>ron to take u])
one of the spears; but the lad shook his head and motioned
to him to undertake the attack, for he felt tliat, ignorant
as he was of the habits of the animal, it would be follv
for him to engage in such an adventure. The man nodded,
for he had indeed been doubting as to the course which the
affair would take, for it needed a thrust with a very power-
ful arm to drive the sjiear through the thick hide of the
hil)poj)Otamus. Amuba imitated Chebron's example, pre-

( 481 ) u

114

A HUGE BEAST.

ferring to be a spectator instead of an actor in this unknown
sport.

For three or four minutes tlie boats lay motionless, then a
blowing sound was heard, and the boatman pointed to what
seemed to the boys two lumps of black mud projecting an
inch or two above the water near the margin of the rushes.
They could not have believed that these formed part of an
animal, but that slight rii)ples widening out on the glassy
water showed that there had been a movement at the sjjot
indicated. With a noiseless push Chebron's hunter sent the
boat in that direction, and then handed the end of the pole
to Chebron, signing to him to push the boat back when he
gave the signal.

When within ten yards of the two little black patches
there was a sudden movement; they widened into an enor-
mous hea<l, and a huge beast rose to his feet, startled at the
discovery he had just made tliat men were close at hand.
In an instant the hunter hurled his spear with all his force.
Tough as was the animal's hide, the sharp head cut its way
through. With a roa»- the beast plunged into the rushes,
the shaft of the s})ear falling out of its socket as it did so,
and the strong cord ran (tut ra})idly from the reel held by
the hunter. Presently the strain ceased. " He has laid
down again in shelter," the hunter said; "we will now fol-
low him and give him a second spear."

Pushing the rushes aside the boat was forced along until
they again caught sight of the hippopotamus, who was stand-
ing up to his belly in water.

"Is he going to charge 5" Chebron asked, grasping a
spear.

" No, theie is little chance of that. Should he do so and
upset the boat, throw yourself among the rushes and lie
there with only your face above water. I will divert his
attention and come back and get you into the boat when
he has made oil."

Another spear was thrown with good effect There was

STIRRING HIM UP.

115

a roar and a great splash. Cliebron tliought that the animal
was upon tlieni; but he turned oil' and dashed back to the
pool where he had been first lying.

"I thought that was what he would do," the hunter said.
"They always seek shelter in the bottom of the deep pools;
and here, you see, the water is not deej) enough to cover
him."

The boat again followed the hippopotamus. Amuba was
still on his raft on the pool.

"What has become of him?" Chebron asked as they
passed beyond the rushes.

" He has sunk to the bottom of the pool," Amuba replied.
*' He gave me a start, I can tell you. We heard him burst-
ing through the rushes, and then he rushed out with his
mouth oi)en — a mouth like a cavern; and then, just as I
thought he was going to charge us, he turned oil" and sunk
to the bottom of the i)Ool."

" How long will he lie there?" Chebron asked the hunter.

"A long time if he is left to himself, but we are going to
stir him up."

So saying he directed the boat towards the rushes nearest
to the bank and pushed the boat through them.

"Oh, here you are, Jethro!" Chebron said, seeing the
Rebu and the men he had accompanied standing on the
bank.

"What has happened, Chebron? — have you killed one of
them? We heard a sort of roar and a great splashing."

"We have not killed him, but there are two spear-heatis
sticking into him."

The hunter handed the cords to the men and told them
to pull steadily, but not hard enough to break the cords.
Then he took from them the end of the rope they carried
and ix)led back into the pool.

"Those cords are not strong enough to pull the great
beast to the shore, are they?" Chebron asked.

"Oh, no, they would not move him; but by pulling nti

116

A HARD rULL.

tliem it causes the spear-heads to give him pain, he gets
uneasy, and rises to the surface in anger. Tlien, you see, i
throw this noose over his liead, and tliey can pull upon
that."

In two or tliree minutes the animal's head appeared above
the water. The instant it did so the liunter threw the noose.
The aim was correct, and with a jerk he tightened it round
the neck.

"Kow, ])ull!" lie shouted.

The peasants pulled, and gradually the hippopotamus was
drawn towards the bank, although struggling to swim in
the opposite direction.

As soon, however, as he reached the shallow water and
his feet touched the ground he threw his whole weight upon
the ro[)e. The peasants were thrown to the ground and
the ro})e dragged thiough their fingers as the hippopotamus
again made his way to the bottom of the pool. The pea-
sants regained their feet and pulled on the ro])e and cords.
Again the hippopotamus rose and was dragged to the shal-
low, only to break away again. For eight or ten times this
happened.

" lie is getting tired now," the hunter said. " Next time
or the time after they will get him on shore. We will land
then and attack him with spears and arrows."

The hippoi)otamus was indeed exhausted, and allowed
itself to be dragged ashore at the next eflbrt without oppo-
sition. As soon as it did so he was attacked with spears by
the hunters, Jethro, and the boys. The latter found that
they were unable to drive their weapons through the thick
skin, and betook themselves to their bows and arrows. The
hunters, however, knew the points at which the skin was
thinnest, and drove their spears deep into the animal just
behind the fore leg, while the boys shot their arrows at its
mouth. Another noose had been thiown over its head as it
issued from the water, and the })easants pulling on the ropes
prevented it from charging. Three or four more thrusts

"MIND ITS tail!"

11'

were given from the hunters; then one of the spears touched
a vital part — the hippopotamus sank on its knees and rolled
over dead.

The ])easants sent up a shout of joy, for the flesh of the
liij)popotamus is by no moans bad eatiniir, and here was a
store of food suflicient for tiie whole neiijrlibourhood.

"Shall we search for another, my lordf' the hunter asked
Cliebron.

" No. I think I have had enough of this. There is no
fun in killing an animal that has not spirit to defend itself.
What do you think, Amul)a?"

" I quite agree with you, Chel)ron. One might almost
as well slaughter a cow. What is that?" he exclaimed
suddenly, as a loud scream was heard at a short distance
away. "It is a woman's voice."

Cliebron darted oft" in full speed in the direction of the
sound, closely followed by Amuba and Jethro. They ran
al)OUt a hundred yards along the bank when they saw the
cause of the outcry. An immense crocodile was making his
way towards the river, dragging along with it the tiguro of
a woman.

In spite of his reverence for the crocodile Chebron did
not hesitate a moment, but rushing f(»iward smote the
crocodile on the nose with all his strength with the shaft
of his spear. The crocodile drojiped its victim and turned
upon his assailant; but Jethro and Amuba were ('lose behind,
and these also attacked him. The crocodile seeing this ac-
cession of enemies now set out for the river, snapping its
jaws together.

"Mind its tail!" one of the hunters exclaimed running
up.

But the warning was too late, for the next moment Amuba
received a tremendous lilow wliich sent him to the ground.
The hunter at the same moment plunged his spear into the
animal through the soft skin at the back of its leg. .lethi'o
followed his example on the other side. The animal chocked

118

"IS SHE DEAD?"

3:.

its flight, and turning round and round lashed with its tail
in all directions.

" Keej) clear of it!" the hunter shouted. "It is mortally
woundiid and will need no more blows."

In fact the crocodile had received its death wound. Its
movements became more languid, it ceased to lash its tail,
though it still snapped at those nearest to it, but gradually this
action also ceased, its head sank and it was dead. Jethro
as soon as he had delivered his blow ran to Amuba.

"Are you hurt?" he asked anxiously.

" No, I don't think so," Amuba gasped. " The brute has
knocked all the breath out of my body; but that's better
than if he had hit me in the leg, for I think he would have
broken it had he done so. How is the woman? — is she
dead?"

"I have not had time to see," Jethro replied. "Let me
help you to your feet, and let us see if any of your ribs are
broken. I will see about her afterwards."

Amuba on getting up declared that he did not think he
was seriously hurt, although unable for the time to stand
upright.

" 1 expect I am only bruised, Jethro. It was certainly a
tremendous whack he gave me, and I expect I shall not be
able to take part in any sporting for the next few days.
The crocodile was worth a dozen hippopotami. There was
some courage about him."

They now walked across to Chebron, who was stooping
over the figure of the crocodile's victim.

"Why, she is but a girl!" Amuba exclaimed. "She is
no older than your sister, Chebron."

"Do you think she is dead?" Chebron asked in hushed
tones.

" I think she has only fainted," Jethro replied. " Here,"
he shouted to one of the peasants who were gathered round
the crocodile, "one of you run down to the water and
bring up a gourd full?"

• 'M

A\ AfiKO MAN.

119

"I don't tliink slio is dead," Aniul)a said, "It soemcd to
me that the crocodile hud seized her by tlie lejj;."

"We must carry her somewhere," .lethro said, "and get
some woman to attend to her. 1 will see if there is a hut
near." He sprang up to the top of some rising ground and
looked round. "There is a cottage close at hand," he said
as he returned. "I daresay she Ijelongs there."

IJidding two of the peasants run to fetch some women,
he lifted up the slight figure and carried her up the slope,
the two lads following. On turning round the foot of a
sand-hill they saw a cottage lying nestled behind it. It
was neater and better kept than the majority of the huts of
the peasants. The walls of baked clay had been white-
washed and were half covered with bright flowers. A patch
of carefully cultivated ground lay around it. Jethro entered
the cottage. On a settle at the further end a man was
sitting. He was apparently of great age, his hair and long
beard were snowy white.

"What is if?" he exclaimed as Jethro entered. "Has
the God of our fathers again smitten me in my old age, and
taken from me my pet lamb? I heard her cry, but my
limbs have lost their power, and I could not rise to come to
her aid."

" I trust that the child is not severely injured," Jethro
said. "AVe had just killed a hippopotamus when we heard
her scream, and running up found a great crocodile dragging
her to the river, but we soon made him drop her. I trust
that she is not severely hurt. The beast seemed to us to
have seized her by the leg. \Ve have sent to fetch some
women. Doubtless they will be here immediately. Ah!
here's the water."

He laid the girl down upon a couch in the corner of the
room, and taking the gourd from the peasant who brought
it sprinkled some water on her face, while Aniuba, by his
direction, rubbed her hands. It was some minutes before
she opened her eyes, and just as she di<l so two women

120

"SHE WILL r.E ALONE IN THE WOIII-D."

entered the Init. TiOaving the girl to their care, Jethro and
the boys left tlie cottage.

" 1 trust that tlie little maid is not greatly hurt," Amuba
said. "By lier dress it seems to me that she is an Israelite,
though I thought we hud left their hind behind us on the
other side of the desert. 8till her dress resem))les those of
the women we saw in the village as we j)assed, and it is
well for her it does so, for they wear more and thicker gar-
ments than the Egyptian ])eiisant women, and the brute's
teeth may not have torn her severely."

In a few minutes one of the women came out and told them
that the maid had now recovered and that she was almost
unhurt. " The crocodile seems to have seized her by her
garments rather than her flesh, and although the teeth
have bruised her, the skin is unbroken. Her grandfather
would fain thank you for the service you have rendered
him."

They re-entered the cottage. The girl was sitting on the
ground at her grandfather's feet holding one of his hands in
her's, while with his other he was stroking her head. As
they entered, the women, seeing that their services were no
longer re(iuired, left the cottage.

"Who are those to whom I owe the life of my grand-
child?" the old man asked.

"I am Chebron, the son of Ameres, high-priest of the
temple of Osiris at Thebes. These are my friends, Amuba
and Jethro, two of the Ifebu nation who were brought to
Egypt, and now live in my father's household."

" We are his servants," Anmba said, " though he is good
enough to call us his friends."

"'Tis strange," the old man said, "that the son of a priest
of Osiris should thus come to u hidden the last few hours of
one who has always withstood the Egyptian gods. And yet
had the crocodile carried otf my liuth, it might have been
better for her, seeing that ere the sun has risen and set
many times she will be alone in the w^orld."

'•BECAI'SE 1 TKSTU'll.U A(iAlNiSl TilL.M."

121

The drl uttered a little crv, and rlsini; on licr knees threw
her arms round the old man's neck.

"It must be so, my liiitli. I have lived a hundred antl
ten years in this land of tlie hcatlien, and my coiirst; is run;
and wore it no^ for your sake 1 shotdd ho ^latl that it is so,
for my life has hocn sorrow and hittornoss. I call her my
liiandchild, hut she is in truth the daui^diter of my grand-
child, and all who stood hetwoon her and me have passed
away before me and loft us alone together. lUjt she trusts
in the God of Abraham, and he will raise up a i)rotector for
her."

Chehron, who had learned somcthin;; of the traditions of
the Israelites dwelling in Kgypt, saw by the oM man's words
that Jethro's surmises were coriect and that he belongod to
that race.

" You are an Israelite," he said gently. "ITow is it that
you are not dwelling among your people instead of alone
among strangers I"

"I left them thirty years bnck when Kuth's n^othor was
but a tottering child. They would not sulVcr me to dwell
in peace among them, but drove me out because I testilied
against them."

"Because you testified against them?" Chebron repeated
in surprise.

" Yes. My father was already an old man when I was
born, and he was one of the few who still clung to the faith
of our fathers. He taught me that there was but one God,
the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of dacob, and that all
other cfods were but images of wood and stone. To tiiat
faith I clung, though, after a while, I alone of all our jx^oplo
held to the belief. The others had forgotten their God ami
worshipped the gods of the Kgyi)tians. When I would
speak to them they treated my words as ravings and as
casting dishonour on the gods they served.

"My sons went with the rest, but my daughter learned
the true faith from my lips and clung to it. She taught her

122

"I WILL Ni:Vi:U UKNY MY (Ul)."

(l:ni,L;lit(jr after lior, ami ten years ago whon she too lay <lyi'nc;
slu) sent liiith by a messenger to nie, praying nie to l)ring
her up in the faitli of our f.athers, and saying that though
she knew 1 was of a great ago she doubted not that when
my time came God would raise up ])rotectors for the cliild.
So for ten years we have dwelt licre together, tilling and
watering our ground and living on its fruit and by the sale
of baskets that we w(!ave and exchan''e for fish with our
neighbours. The child worshij)s the (lod of our fathers, and
has grown and thriven here for ton years; but my heart is
heavy at the thought that my hours are numbered and that
I see no way after mo but that Ruth shall return to our
people, who will assuredly in time wean her from her faith."

"Never, grandfather," the girl said firmly. "They may
beat me, and persecute me, but I will never deny my God."

" They are hard people the Israelites," the old man 8ai<l
shaking his head, "and they are stubborn, and must needs
])revail against one so tender. However all matters are in
the lui ids of God, who will again reveal himself in his due
time to his people who have forgotten him."

Amuba, looking at the girl, thought that she had more
power of resistance than the old man gave her credit for.
Her face was of the same style of beauty as that of some of
the young women he hud seen in the villages of the Israelites,
but of a higher and finer type. Her face was almost oval,
with soft black hair, and delicately-marked eyebrows run-
ning almost in a straight line below her forehead. Her eyes
were large and soft, with long lashes veiling them, but there
was a firmness about the lips and chin that spoke of a de-
termined will, and gave strength to her declaration "Never."

There was silence a moment, and then Chebron said
almost timidly:

" My father, although high ])riest of Osiris, is not a bigot
in his religion. He is wise and learned, and views all things
temperately as my friends here can tell you. He knows of
your religion ; for I have heard him say that when they first

(JOI) HAS CIIOSKN Full Ml',.

121

<lvin

|lioiii;}i
when
cliil.].

*^ unci

camp into tin's land the Israelites worsln'iipol one Clod only.
1 have a sister wlio is of ai»oiit tlie same agt? as Iviitli, and is
<:entle and kind. 1 am sure that if I ask my fath«'r lie will
take your grandchild into his household to l)e a friiuid and
companion to Mysa, and I am certain that he would never
try to shake her religion, but would lot her won.hip as she
chooses."

Th(! old man looked fixedly at Chcbron.

" Vour speech is pleasant and kind, young sir, and your
voice has an honest ring. A few years back I would have
said that I would rather the maiden were dead than a hand-
maid in the house of an Egyptian; but as death approaches
we see things diflferently, and it may be that she would be
better there than among those who once having known the
true God have forgotten him and taken to the worship of
idols. I have always prayed and believed that God would
raise up protectors for Kuth, and it seems to me now that
the way you have been brought hither in these latter days
of my life is the answer to my prayer. Kuth, my child, you
have heard the otter, and it is for you to decide. Will you
go witli this young Egyptian lord and serve his sister as a
handmaiden, or will you return to the villages of our people?"

Kuth had risen to her feet now, and was looking earnestly
at Chebron, then her eyes turned to the faces of Aumba and
Jethro, and then slowly went back again to Chebron.

" I believe that God has chosen for me," she said at last,
"and has sent them here not only to save my life, Imt to be
l)rotectors to me; their faces are all hone.^t and good. If the
father of this youth will receive me, I will, when you leave
me, go and be the haiidniaid of his daughter."

"It is well," the old man said. "Now I am ready to
depart, for my prayers have been heard. IVlay God deal
with you and yours, Egyptian, even as you deal with my
child."

" May it be so," Chebron replied reverently.

" I can tell you," Jethro said to the old man, " that in no

124

"she could not be in kindkh hands.'

household in K^ypt rould your dauj^htor ho hap|»ior than in
that of Anicrt's. lie is tho lord and master of Anmlia and
inys(df, and y»!t, as you soo, his son treats us not as servants,
hut as friends. Ain(!i'es is otic of tho kindest «)f men; and
as to his (hiui^diter Mysa, whoso sperial attendant 1 am, I
woidd lay down my life to shield her fr(>m harm. \ Our
j^'randchild could not ho in Ix-tter hands. As to her reli;.;ioM,
althoui^h Amcues has often (piestioniMl Amuha and myself
rcspeeting tho j^ods of our people, he has never once shown
the slightest desire that we should ahant U)u them for those
of I'igypt."

"And now," Che})ron said, "wo will leave you; fordouht-
Icss the ex(item«;nt has wearied you, and I'uth needs rest
and quiet after her fright. We are encamped a mile away
near the lake, and will come and see you to-morrow."

Not a word was spoken for some time after they left tho
house, an«l then Chebron said:

"It really would almost seem as if what that old man
said was true, and that his (»od had sent us there that a
protector might be found for his daughter. It was certainly
strange that we should happen to be within sound of her
voice when she was seized l»y that crocodile, and bo able to
rescue her just in time. It needed you see, first, that we
should be there, then that the crocodile should seize her at
that moment, and, lastly, that we should be just in time to
save her being dragged into the river. A crocodile might
have carried her away ten thousand times without any one
being within reach to save her, and the chances were enor-
mously against any one who did save her being in a position
to otier her a suitable home at her father's death."

"It is certainly strange. You do not think that your
father will have any objection to take her," Amuba asked.

" Oh no, he may say that he does not Avaiit any more
servants in the house, but I am sure that when he sees her,
he will be pleased to have such a companion for Mysa. If
it was my mother I do not know. Most likely she would

pay iH
will n
my f:»
of th
and t
;ill ar

•'\
uM

-1

((

cmebkon's schupkks.

IIV)

fsny no; iMit wlicn sho hoars that it has all hoon srfthMl, she
will not trouMe one way or th«» otlirr jiltout it. I will write
my father a letter telling iiiin all alioiit it, and scjid oil one
ui the slaves with it at once. Ho <'aii get hack tomorrow,
and this will gladden tln^ old man's heart to Iokhv that it is
all arranged. I wish to tell niy father, too, of my trouhle."

" What troiihhi'?" Amuha asked in surprise " Vou iiave
told me nothing ahont anything troubling you."

"Do you not untlerstand, Amuha. 1 am in trouhle because
I struck the crocodiio; it is an impious action, and yet what
couhl 1 do]"

Anniha repressed an inclination to smile.

" Vou could do nothing elst), Chehron, for there was no timc^
to mince matters. He was going too fast for you to explain
to him that he was doing wrong in canying otV a girl, and
you therefore took the only means in your )»ower of stop-
jting him; besides the blow you dealt him did him no injury
whatever. It was .lethro and the hunter who killed him."

" I>ut had I not delayed his tlight, they could not have
done so."

"That is true enough, Chebron; but in that case lie wouM
have reached the water with his burden an<l «levoured her
at his leisuie. Unless you thiidv that his life is of much more
importance than hers, I cannot see that you have anything
to reproach yourself with."

"You do not understand mo, Amuba," Chebron said
})ettishly. "Of course 1 do not think that the life of an
ordinary animal is of as much importance as that of a
human being; but the crocodiles are sacred, and misfortune
falls upon those who injure them."

" Ther in that case, Chebron, misfortune must fall very
heavily on the inhabitants of those districts where the
crocodile is killed wherever he is found. I have not heard
that pestilence and famine visit those parts of Egypt with
more frequency than they do the districts where tlie crot;o-
dile is venerated."

126

"YOU CAN SET YOU MIND AT EASE."

Cliebron maile no answer. What Amuba said was doubt-
less true; but upon tlie other hand he had always been
taught tliat the crocodile was sacred, and if so he could net
account for the impunity with which these creatures were
destroyed in otlier parts of Egypt. It was another of tlie
puzzles that he so constantly met with. After a long pause
he replied :

"It may seem to be as you say; but you see, Amuba,
there are some gods sjiecially worshipped in one district,
others in another. In the district that a god specially pro-
tects he would naturally be indignant were the animal
sacred to him be slain, while he might pay no heed to the
doings in those parts in which he is little concenied."

"In that case, Chebron, you can clearly set your mind at
rest. Let us allow that it is wrong to kill a crocodile in
the district in wliich lie is sacred and where a god is con-
cerned about his welfare, but that no evil consequences can
follow the slaying of him in districts in which he is nut
sacred, and where his god, as you say, feels little interest
in him."

"I hope that is so, Amuba; and that as the crocodile i.4
not a sacred animal here no harm may come from my
striking one, though I would give much that I had not been
obliged to do so. I hope that my father will regard ."he
matter in the same light."

" I have no doubt that he will do so, Chebron, especially
as we agreed that you did no real harm to the beast."

" Is it not strange, Jethro," Amuba said when Chebron
had gone into the tent, "that wise and learned people like
the Egyptians should be so silly regarding animals?"

"It is strange, Amuba, and it was hard to keep from
laughing to hear you so gravely arguing the question witli
Chebron. If all the peoi)le held the same belief I should
not be surprised ; but as almost every animai worshipped in
one of the districts is hated and slain in another, and that
without any evil consequences arising, one would hnv-

A yUIET DAY.

1-J7

s doubt-
ys been
)uld not
es were
r of tlie
S pause

Amu ha,
li-strict,
lly pro-
animal
to tlie

nind at
)dile ill

is con-
ces can

ia not
nterest

odile k
►m my
>t been
rd 'he

ecially

iiebro!)
le like

from
I with
hould
•ed in

that

thouglit that they could not but see for themselves the

What are we

to do to-mor-

folly of their belief,
row?"-

"I do not think that it is settled, we have had on ^ day
at each of the sports. Kabah said that to-morrow we could
either go out and see new modes of fishing, or accompany
the fowlers and watch them catching birds in the clap-nets,
or uo out into the desert antl hunt ibex. Chebron did not
<lecide, but I suppose when he has finished his letter wo
shall hear what he intends to do."

After Chebron had finished his letter, which was a long
one, he called Kabah and asked him to despatch it at once
by the rieetest- footed of the slaves.

"He will get there," he said, "before my father retires
to rest. If he does not reply at once, he will probably
answer in the morning, and at any rate the man ought to
be back before mid-day."

At dinner Anmba asked Chebron whether he had decided
what they should do the next day.

" We nn'ght go and look at the m3n with the clap-nets,"
Chebron answered. " They have several sorts in use, and
take numbers of pigeons and other birds. I think that will
be enough for to-morrow. We have had four days ha^'d
work, and a quiet day will be pleasant, and if we Knd the
time goes slowly, we can take a boat across the lake and
look at the great sea beyond the sand-hills that divide the
lake from it; besides I hope we shall get my father's answer,
and I should like some further talk with that old Israelite.
It is interesting to learn al)out the religion that his fore-
fathers believed in, and in w Inch it s<. ans that he and his
grandchild are now the last who have faith.

"It will suit me very well to have a quiet day, Chebron;
for in any case I do not think J could have accompanied
you. My ribs are sore from the whack the crocodile gave
me with his tail, and I doubt whether I shall be able to
walk to-morrow."

128

THE xM ESSEN G Ell RETl KNS.

II' .'

I'' ^

Indeed, the next morning Amnba was so stifT and sore
that he was unable to rise from his couch.

Soon after breakfast the messeiiLrer returned brinmnj!; a
letter from Ameres. It was as foHows: — •

" It >;3en\s to me, Chebron, tliat Mysa has no occasion for
further attendants; but as your story of this old Israelite
and his daughter interests me, and the girl is of Mysa's
age and might be a pleasant companion for her, I have no
objection to her entering our household. I should have
liked to talk with the old man himself, and to have heaul
from him more about the religion that Joseph and his
people brought to Egypt. It is recorded in some of tlie
scrolls that these people were monotheists; but although I
have many times questioned Israelites, all iiave })rofessed to
be acquainted with no religion but 'that of Egypt. If you
have furtlier opportunity find out as much as you can from
this old 1 an upon the subject.

" Assure him from me that his daughter shall be kindly
treated in my household, and that no attempt whatever will
be made to turn her from the religion she professes. As to
your adventure with the crocodile, I do not think that your
conscience need trouble you. It would certainly be unfor-
tunate to meet in Ujjper Egypt a crocodile carrying off a
peasant, and I am not called upon to give an opinion as to
what would be the ])roper course to pursue under the cir-
cumstances; but ?4,s you are at present in a district where
the crocodile, inst ad of being respected, is held in detes-
tation, and as the people with you would probably have
overtaken and slain him even without your intervention,
I do not think tlia*^ you need trouble yourself about tlie
knock that you gave him across his snout. Kad I found
myse'f in the position you did I should probably have taken
the sarre course. With respect to the girl, you had best
give theiii iuc-'.ructions that when the old man dies she shall
travel by boat to Thebes; arrived there, she will find no
difficulty in learning which is my house, and on presenting

hC!

nia
arr
po.^

PHKURON VISITS THE COTTAGE.

129

sore

licrsclf there she will bp well received. I will write at once to
Mysa, tell) s;^ her that you have found a little Israelite hand-
maiden as her special attendant, and that, should the girl
arrive before my return, she is at once to assume that
position.

" It would not do for her to come here were hor grand-
father to die before we leave for home. In the first place she
would be in the way, and in the second her leatures and
dress would proclaim her to be an Israelite. The people in
the villages she passed through might detain her, and insist
01. her remaining with them; or, should she arrive here, the
fact cf her departing with us might be made a subject of
complaint, and the Israelites would not improbably declare
that I had carried off a young woman of their tribe as a
slave. Therefore, in all respects it is better that she should
proceed up the river to Thebes.

" As they are poor you had best leave a sum of money
with them to pay for her passage by boat, and for her sup-
port during the voyage. I find that I shall have finished
with the r,teward earlier than I had expected, and shall be
starting in about three days to inspect the canals and lay out
plans for some fresh ones; therefore, if by that time you have
had enough sport to satisfy you, you had best journey back."

" My father has consented," Chebron said joyously as he
finished the letter. "T felt sure that he would; still, I was
anxious till I got the lei*;er, for it would have been a grent
disappointment to the old man could it not have been maii-
aired. I will go off and tell him at once. I shall not want
you this morning, Jethro;,so you can either stay here with
Amuba or do some fishins: or fowlin^c on the lake. The
boat is all in readiness, you know."

Chebron went off to the cottage. Kuth was in the garden
tending the vegetables, and he stopped to speak to her be-
fore entering.

" I have not heard yet," he said, " how it came about that
you were seized by the crocolile."

(481) "^ I

130

I HAVE SATISFACTORY NEWS.

" 1 hardly know how it was," she said. " I am in thn
habit of goini:^ down many times a day to fetch up water for
the garden, and I always keep a look-out for these creatures
before I fill my jar; but yesterday I had just gone round
the corner of the sand-hill when I was struck down with a
tremendous blow, and a moment afterwards the creature
seized me. 1 gave a scream; but I thouiiht I was lost, for
there are no neighbours within sound of the voice, and my
grandfather has not been able to walk for months. Then I
prayed as well as 1 could for the pain, and God heard me
and sent you to deliver me."

" It is not often that thev go up so far from the river, is
itl"

"Not often. But yesterday we had a portion of a kid from
a neighbour and were cooking it, and perhaps the smell
attracted the crocodile; for they say that they are quick at
smell, and they have been known to go into cottages and
carry off meat from before the fire."

" I see you walk very lame still."

" Yes. Grandfather would have me keep still for a day or
two; but I think that as soon as the bruises die out and the
pain ceases I shall be as well as ever. Besides, what would
the garden do without water? My grandfather will be glad
to see you, my lord; but he is rather more feeble than usual
this morning. The excitement of yesterday has shaken him."

She led the way into the cottage.

" Your granddaughter has told me you are not very strong
to-day," Chebron began.

" At my age," the old man said, " even a little thing up-
sets one, and the affair of yesterday was no little thing. I
wonder much that the agitation did not kill me."

" I have satisfactory news to give you," Chebron said. " I
yesterday des})atched a message to my father, and have just
received the answer." And taking out the scroll he read
aloud the jiortion in which Anieres stated his readiness to
receive Kuth in his household, and his ])roniise that no

"THE LOKU 15li I'liAlSKI) !"

l:u

in thn

ter ii)v

round
witli a
eature
).st, for
nd my
'lien I
id lue

pressure whatever should be put upon lier to abandon her
religion.

"The Lord be praised!" the old man exclaimed. "The
very animals are the instruments of his will, and the croco-
dile that threatened death to the child was, in truth, the
iiiiswer sent to my prayer. I thank you, my young lord;
and as you and yours deal with my child, so may the God
of my fathers deal with you. But she may stay on with me
for the little time that remains, may she not?"

" Surely. We should not think of taking her now. My
father sentls instiuctions as to what she is to do, and money
to pay for her journey up the Nile to Thebes. This is what
lie says." And he read the portion of the scroll relating to
the journey. " And now," he said, " let me read to you
what my father says about your religion. He is ever a
searcher after truth, and would fain that 1 should hear from
your lips and repeat to him all that you can tell me relating
to this God whom you worship."

" That will I with gladness, my young lord. The story
is easily told, for it is simple, and not like that of your
religion with its many deities."

Chebron took a seat upon a pile of rushes and prepared
to listen to the old man's story of the God of the Israelites.

CHAPTER Vni.

THE CONSPIRACY IN THE TEMPLE.

FOR two days longer the party lingered by the side of
the lake Ushing and fowling, and then returned across
the desert to the head-quarters of Ameres. Two months
were spent in examining canals and water-courses, seeing
that the dykes were strengthened where it needed, and that

132

THE HETUUN TO TIIEIIES.

the gates and channels were in good repair. Levels were
taken for the construction c^ several fresh branches, wliich
would considerably extend the margin of cultivation. Tlie
natives were called upon to furnish a suj)})!}' of labour for
their formation; but the quota was not furnished without
considerable grumbling on the part of th*^ Israelites, although
Ameres announced that payment would be given them for
their work. At last, having seen that everything was in
train, Ameres left one of his subordinates to cany out the
work, and then started with his son for Thebes.

A fortnight after his return home he was informed that
a young female, who said her name was Kuth, wished to see
him. He bade the servant conduct her to him, and at the
same time summon Chebron from his studies. The lad
arrived first, and as Ruth entered presented her to his
father.

" Welcome, child, to this house," the high-priest said. "I
suppose by your coming that the old man, your great-grand-
father, of whom my son has s})oken to me, is no more "J"

"He died a month since, my lord," Kuth replied; "but
it was two weeks before I could find a passage in a boat

connng hither."

"Chebron, tell Mysa to come here," Ameres said, and
the lad at once fetched Mysa, who had already heard that an
Israelite girl was coming to be her special attendant, and
had been much interested in Chebron's account of her and
her rescue from the crocodile.

"This is Ruth, Mysa," Ameres said when she entered,
" who has come to be with you. She has lost her last friend,
and I need not tell you, my child, to be kind and conside-
rate with her. You know what you would suffer were you
to be placed among strangers, and how lonely you would be
at first. She will be a little strange to our ways, but you
will soon make her at home, I hope."

" I will try and make her happy," Mysa replied, looking
at her new companion.

tl
fi

A CONTRAST.

133

Although the giils were about the same age, Kuth looked
the elder of the two. Mysa was still little more than a child,
full of fun and life. Ruth was broken down by the death
of her grandfather and by the journey she had made; but
in any case she would have looked older than Mysa, the
difference being in manner rather than in face or figure.
Ruth had long had many responsibilities on her shoulders,
riiere was the care and nursing of the old man, the cultiva-
tion of the garden on which their livelihood depended, the
exchange of its products for other articles, the preparation
of the meals. Her grandfather had been in the habit of
talking to her as a grown-up person, and there was an
expression of thoughtfulness and gravity in her eyes. Mysa,
on the contiary, was still but a happy child, who had never
known the necessity for work or exertion; her life had
been like a summer day, free from all care and anxiety.
Naturally, then, she felt as she looked at Ruth that she was
a graver and more serious personage than she had expected
to see.

"I think I shall like you," she said when her examina-
tion was finished, " when we know each other a little better,
and I hope you will like me; because, as m}'' father says, we
are to be together."

"I am sure we shall," Piuth replied, looking admiringly
at Mysa's bright face. "1 have never had anything to
do with girls of my own age, and you will find me clumsy
at first; but I will do my best to please you, for your father
and brother have been very good to me."

" Tliere, take her away, Mysa. I have told your mother
about her coming, and want to go on with my reading,"
Anieres said. " Show her your garden and animals, and
where she is to sleep; and give her in charge of old Male,
who will see that she has all that she wants, and get suitable
garments and all that is recjuisite."

Before many days were over Ruth became (|uite at home in
her new abode. Her position was ii, pleasant one. She was at

CIIiCBRON ENTERS THE rRTESTIIOOD.

onco companion and attendant to >Tysa, arconi])anyi'ng hor
in her walks under the escort of Jetliro, ])laying with her in
the garden, helping her to feed the animals, and amusing
her when she j)referred to sit quiet by telling her about
her life near the lake by the great sea, about the fowling
and fishing there, and especially about the river course clost^
to the cottage, with its hippopotami and crocodiles. liutli
brightened up greatly in her new surroundings, which to her
were marvellous and beautiful; and she soon caught some-
thing of the cheerfulness of her young ^ui stress, and the
laughter of the two girls was often heard rising from Mysa's
inclosure at the farther end of tlfe quiet garden.

Shortly after the return from their visit to Lower Egypt
an important event took place, Chebron being initiated into
the lowest grade of the priesthood. His duties at first were
slight; for aspirants to the higher order, who were with
scarce an exception the sons of the superior priesthood,
were not exj)ected to perform any of the drudgery that
belonged properly to the work of the lower class of the
order. It was necessary to ascend step by step; but, until
they arrived at the grade beyond which study and intelli-
gence alone led to promotion, their progress was rapid, and
they were expected only to take part in such services and
ceremonies of the temple as required the attendance of all
attached to it.

Lis Quties, therefore, interfered but little with his studies
or ordintvi} mode of life, and he was almost as much at
home as before He could now, however, enter the temple
at all hours, and had access to the inner courts and cham-
bers, the apartments where the sacred animals were kept,
and other places where none but the priests were permitted
to enter. He availed himself of this privilege chiefly of an
evening. All the great courts were open to the sky, and
Chebron loved to roam through them in the bright moon-
light, when they were deserted by the crowd of worship-
pers and all was still and silent. At that time the massive

CIIKIIKUNS MUS1N(;S.

l.J.')

wling

Kuth
her

gypt

into

columns, tho niajostic uivliitorture, tlio strantro fiirnros of the
^ods, exercised un intluence upon his inuiginution which was
wanting in the (hay time. Uj)on tho altars hctore the cliief
Lcods lire ever burnc' and in tlie liji;htof the lliekcring fhinies
the faces assumed Hfe and exi»rt'ssion.

Now and then a priest in his white hnen rol)0 moved
througli tlie deserted courts; hut for the most {cirt Chehron
liad unch'sturhed jtossession, and was free to mt'(litate with-
out interruption. He found that his mind was tlien attuned
to a pitcli of reverence and devotion to t\n\ gods tliat it
failed to attain when the sun was hlazing down upon tlic
marble floor, and the courts were alive witii worshippers.
Tiien strive as lie would he couhl not enter as he wanted
into tiie si)irit of the scene. When he walked in tiic solemn
procession carrying a sacred vessel or one of the sacred em-
hlems, doubts whether there could be anything in common
h<"t»veen the graven image and the god it represented would
occur to him.

He would wonder whether the god was really gratified by
these processions, whether he felt any real pleasure in the
carrying about of sacred vessels, emblems, and ofllcrings of
tlowers. He was shocked at his own doubts, and did his
best to banish them from his mind. At times it seemed to
him that some heavy punishment must fall upon him for
permitting himself to reason on matters so far beyond his
comprehension, and he now rejoiced at what he before was
inclined to regret, that his father had decided against his
devoting his whole life to the jervice of the temple.

Sometimes he thought of speaking to his father and con-
fessing to him that his mind was troubled with doubts, but
the thought of the horror with which such a confession
would be received deterred him from doing so. Even to
Amuba he was silent on the subject, for Aniuha he thought
would not understand him. His friend believed firmly in
the gods of his own country, but acce[)tcd the fact that the
Egyptian deities were as powerful for good or evil to the

136

THE I'KIEST I'TYLUS.

l\i;yiitians a' *vcre his own to the Itebu. And, in<h'cd, tht;
fact that the Egyptians were so great and jiowerful, and
prevailed over other nations, was, he was inclined to think,
«hio to the superior power of their gods.

The majesty of the temples, the splendour of the proces-
sions, and the devoutness with which the peoi)le worshippcil
their gods, alike impressed him; and although the strange-
ness of the images struck him as singular, he was ready to
admit that the gods miglit take any shape they pleased.
Tluis, then, Chcbron could look for no sympathy from him,
and shrank from opening his mind to him. Nevertheless
he sometimes took Amuba with him in his visits to the
temple. The doors at all times stood open, and any could
enter who chose, and had they in the inner courts met with
any of the priests, Amuba would have ])assed unnoticed as
being one of the attendants of the temple in company with
Chebron.

But few words were exchanged between the lads during
these rambles, for the awful grandeur of the silent temple
and its weird aspect in the moonlight, affected Amuba as
strongly as it did ('hebron. At times he Avondered to him-
self whether if he ever returned home and were to introduce
the worship of these terrible gods of Egypt, they would
extend their protection to the Kebu.

Near the house of Ameres stood that of Ptylus, a priest
who occupied a position in the temi)le of Osiris, next in
dignity to that of the high-priest.

Between the two priests there was little cordiality, for they
differed alike in disposition and manner of thought. Pty-
lus was narrow and bigotted in his religion, precise in every
observance of ceremonial; austere and haughty in manner,
})rofessing to despise all learning beyond that relating to
religion, but secretly devoured with jealousy at the esteem
in which Ameres was held by the court, and his reputation
as one of the tirst engineers, astronuniers, and statesmen of
Egypt. He had been one of the fiercest in the opposition

riii.s(!|
ttie

i"n

resii

RIVALS.

\:\'i

nisod to the innovations proposed by Amorcs, and had at
tiic time exerted iiiinself to tlie utmost to excite such a frel
\U'^ against liim as would render it necessary for him to
resign his position in the temple.

His <lisappointment had been intense, wlien — owin.u: in no
HliL;lit degree to the inllucnce of the king himself, who re-
;:ai<led Aniercs with too much triist and alTection to allow
himself to be shaken in his confidence even by what he iicld
to he the erroneous views of the high ])riest of Osiris — his
intrigue came to nothing; but lie liad ever since kept an un-
ceasing watch upon the conduct of liis colleague, .vithout,
liowcver, being able to find the slightest j)rctence for com-
plaint against liim. For Anicres was no visionary; and
having failed in obtaining a favourable <lecision as to the
views lie entertained, he had not striven against the tide;,
knowing that by doing so he would only involve himself
and his family in ruin and disgrace, without forwarding in
the smallest degree the opinions he lield.

He was thus as exact as ever in his ministration in the
temple, diflering only from the other performers of the sacred
rites inasmuch as while they oflered their sacrifices to Osiris
himself, he in his heart dedicated his oflerings to the great
(led of whom Osiris was but a feeble tyi)e or image.

A certain amount of intimacy was kept uj) l)etween the
two families. Although there was no more liking between
the wives of the two priests than between their husbands,
they were of similar dispositions — both were fond of show
and gaiety, both were ambitious; and although in society
both exhibited to perfection the somewhat gentle and indo-
lent manner which was considered to mark high breeding
among the women of Egyi>t, the slaves of both knew to
their cost that in their own homes their bearing was very
tlitlerent.

In their ei;tertainments and feasts there was constat. .
rivalry between them, although the wife of the high-priest
considered it nothin-' short of insolence that the wife of one

i;i8

A I'KorusAL FOR MYSA.

inferior to lior hushiiDd's rank sliould vontnro to coniprtc
with her; wliilc upon tlio otluu* han«l tlio littlo airs of culin
sMporioritv hov rival assuinccl when visitin;^ licr (excited tlic
dfcpest in<IiL,'nation and Ijittorncss in tlio heart of tin; wife ni
i'tylus. She, too, was awaie of the enmity that her hushaiMl
here to Amends, and di'^ h«'r Itest to second him by shakiii-
her liead and atlcctinj*; an air of mystery whenever his name
was mentioned, leaving her friends to suppose that did sIk;
choose she could tell terrible tales to his disadvantage.

Ameres on his ])art had never alluded at home either to
his views concerning religion or to his difreronce of opinion
with his colleagues. There was but little in common be
tween him and his wife. lie allowed her liberty to do as
she chos«% to give fre(]uent entertainments to her fenuile
friends, and to spend money as she liked so long as his own
uuulci of life was not interfered with. He kept in his own
hands, too, the regulation of the studies of Chebron and
Mvsa.

One day when he was in his study his wife entered. He
looked U|) with an expression of remons<^rance, for it was an
understood thing that when occupied with his books he was
on no account to be disturbed except upon business of ini-
I)ortance.

" Vou must not mind my disturbing you for once, Ameres;
but an important thing has happened. Nicotis, the wife of
Ptylus, has been here this afternoon, and what do you think
she was the bearer of — a proposal from her husband and her-
self that their son Plexo should marrv our Mysa."

Ameres uttered an exclamation of surprise and anger.

"She is a child at present, the thing 's ridiculous!"

" Not so nuich of a child, Ameres, after all. She is nearer
fifteen than fourteen, and betrothal often takes place a year
earlier. 1 have been thinking for some time of talking the
matter over with you, for it is fully time that we thought
of her future."

Ameres was silent. What his wife said was perfectly

tnif.

iiiai'l

fvcr,

as st

Cheli

spirit

'IIli: oriKK DKCMNKD.

i;;!>

compote

s of Cullii
cited tllr

M! Wifu of

hiisltuiii]
' sliakiiiu
lii.s name
; did sIk'

either to
opinion

mon be
to do as

r female
his own
his own

ron and

ed. Ho

b was an
5 he was
s of im-

A meres;

wife of

M think

md lier-

;er.

nearer

a jear
ing the
hougiit

rfectly

true, and M\sa had reached tlie a''o at wliieh the Ku'vittiaii
niaideiiH were generally hetrothed. It came npon him, liow-
ever, as an uiipleasant surprise. He liad regar<U'd Mysa
as still a child, and his atlections were centred in lier and
Clieliron; for his ehh'st sotj, who resemhled his mother in
spirit, he had hut little atl'eetion or sympathy.

ill," li

d at h

itatioji voiy

unusual to him, "if Mysa has reached the age; wheti we
must begin to think whom she is to marry, we will thiidv ot
it, but there is no occasion whatever for liaste. As to
Plexo I liavo marked liim often when he has been here
with Chebron, and 1 do not like liis disposition. He is
arroga!it and overl)oaring, and, at the same time, shallow
and foolish. Such is not the kind of youth to wliom 1 shall
u'ive Mysa."

The answer did not quite satisfy his wife. She agreed
with him in o)>jecting to the proposed alliance, but on
entirely dilfereiit grounds. She had looked forward to
Mysa making a brilliant match, which would add to h(T
own conse(|uence and standing. On ceremonial occasions,
as the vife of the high-priest, and herself a priestess of
Oiisis, die was present at all the court ban(|uets; but the
abstemious tastes and habits of Ameres prevented her from
making the part she desired in other festivities, and she con-
sidered that were Mysa to marry some great general, or
jierhaps even one of the princes of the blood, she would
then be able to take that position in society to which she
aspired, and considered, indee<l, that she ought to fill as the
wife of Ameres, high-priest of Osiris, and one of the most
trusted counsellors of the king.

Such result would certainly not flow from Mysa's marriage
to the son of one of less rank in the temple than her lius-
l)and, and far inferior in public estimation. Being content,
however, that her husband objected to tin; match on other
grounds she abstained from pressing her own view of the
subject, being perfectly aware that it was one with which

140

"WHAT llEASUN SHALL I GIVE?"

Ameres would by no means sympathize. She therefore
only said:

" I am glad that you object to the match, Ameres, and
am quite in accord with you in your opinion of the son of
Ptylus. ]Jut what reason shall 1 give Nicotis for declining
the connection]"

"The true one, of course!" Ameres ss'd in surprise.
"What other reason could there be? In respect to position
no objection could arise, nor upon that of wealth. He i«
an only sun, and altho^igli Ptylus may not have so large an
income as myself (for 1 have had much state employment),
he can certainly aflord to plac^^ his son in at least as good
a position as we can expect for JNIysa. Were we to decline
the proposal without giving a reason Ptylus would have
good ground for oPcnce.

"I do not suppose, Amcnse, be will be pleased at fault
being found with his son, but that we cannot help. Parents
cann ,«t expect others to see their offspring with the same
eyes, that they do. I should certainly feel no offence were
I to })ropose for a wife for Chebron to receive as an answer
that he lacked some of ti:e virtues the parents required in a
husband for their daugiiter. I might consider that Chebron
had those virtues, bi t if they thou}j;ht otherwise why should
I be ollended?"

'* It is not everyone who sees matters as you do, Ameres,
and no one likes having his children slighted. Still, if it
is your wish that I should tell Nicotis that you have a
personal objection to her son, of course I will do so."

" Do not put it in that light, Amense. It is not that I
have a personal objection to him. I certainly do not like
him, but that fact has nothing to do with my decision. 1
might like liim very much, and yet consider that he would
not make Mysa a good husband; or, on the other hand, 1
might dislike him perso'ially, and yet feel that I could
safely entrust Mysa's happiness to him. You will say, then,
to Nicotis that from what I have seen of Plexo, and from

wha
uie
con-
r'toj

Oi SI

IWVJL

AN INDIGNANT WOMAN.

141

therefore

leres, and
he son of
declininLT

surprise.
) position
1. He is
> large an
loynient),
' as good

decline
uld have

at fault

Parents

ihe same

nee were

1 answer
ired in a
Chebron
y should

Ameres,

:ill, if it

have a

; that I
not like
3ion. 1
B would
hand, I
I could
Yj then,
d from

what I hav3 learned of his character, it does not appear to
nie that a union between him and Mysa would be likely to
con-luce to her happiness ; and tiiat, therefore, I decline
r '.together to enter into negotiations for the bringing aboiifc
Oi such a marriage."

Amense v.as well pleased, for she felt that this message,
given in her husband's name, would be a great rebuff for
lier rival, and would far more than counterbalance the
many triumphs she had gained over her by the recital of
tiie number of banquets and entertainments in which she
had taken part.

Had Amense been present when Nicotis informed Ptylus
of the refusal of their proposal for the hand of Mysa, she
alight have felt that even the satisfaction of mortifying
a rival may be dearly purchased.

"You know the woman, Ptylus, and can picture to your-
self the air of insolence with which she declined our proposal.
I wished at the moment we had been peasants' wives instead
of ladies of quality. I would have given her cause to reg.ot
her insolence for a long time. As it Vv'as, it was as much as
I could (0 to restrain myself, and to smile and say that
])erhai)s, after all, the young people were not as well suited
for each other as could be wished; and that we had only
yielded to the wishes of Plexo, having in our mind another
alliance which would in every respect be more advantageous.
Of course she replied that she was glad to hear it, but she
could not but know that I was lying, for the lotus flower
I was holding in my hand trembled with the rage that
devoured me."

"And it was, you say, against Plexo personally that the
objection was made," Ptylus said gloomily.

" So she seemed to say. Of course she would not tell me
that she had set her mind on her daughter marrying one of
the royal princes, though it is like enough that such is her
thought, for the woman is pushing and ambitious enough
for anything. She only said, in a formal sort of wa}.

142

"LET Til KM liOTU UEWAUE!'

that while the alliance between the two families would
naturally be most agreeable to them, her husband was
of opinion that the dispositions of the young people were
v^jholly dissimilar, and that he feared such a union won 11
not be for the happiness of either; and that having perlnqis
peculiar ideas as to the necessity for husband and wife
being of one mind in all matters, he thought it better tn.it
the idea should be abandoned. I had a mind to tell Ik r
that Ameres did not seem to have acted upon those ideiis in
his own case, for everyone knows that he and Amense have
not a thought in common — that she goes her way and lie
goes his." ,

" Let them both beware!" Ptylus said. "They shall learn
that we are not to be insulted with impunity. This Ameres,
whom the people regard as so holy, is at heart a despiser
of the gods. Had he not been a favourite of Thotmes he
would ere now have been disgraced and degraded, and I
should be high-priest in his |:iace; f'^r his son, Neco, is too
young for such a dignity. But he is ascending in the scale,
and every year that his father lives and holds office he will
come more and more to be looked upon as his niiturul
successor. A few more years and my chance will be
extinguished."

" Then," Nicotis said decidedly, " Ameres must not hold
'office for many more years. We have talked the matter
over and over again, and you have always promised me
that some day I should be the wife of the high-priest, and
that Plexo should stand first in the succession of the office.
It is high time that you carried your promises into effect."

" It is time, Nicotis. This man has too long insulted the
gods by ministering at their services, when in his heart he
was false to them. It shall be so i o longer; this last in-
sult to us decides me! Had he agreed to our })ro})osal I
would have laid aside mv own claims.

could have secured that Plexo, as his son-in-law, should
succeed, rather than that shallow-brained fool, Neco. lie

has
ha
1

'•ask Ml-: so QUKSTIONS."

143

es Avoiild
)and was
)ple WL'ie
m wouM
; perl uq IS
and wife
itter that
) tell her
3 i<leiis ill
snse have
Y and he

lall leain

Aniercs,

. despiser

)tmes he

id, and I

CO, is too

;he scale,

e he will

natural

will lie

not hold
I matter
ised nie
iest, and
le othce.
effect."
ilted the
leart he

last iii-
D})osal I
ntliience

should
10. lie

ifused the oil*

d he must bear the

consequences, i
have l)een too j)atient. I will be so no longer, but will act.
I have a strong })arty among tlie upper priesthood who
have long l)een of my opinion that Ameres is a disgrace to
our caste and a danger to our religion. They will join me
heart and soul, for xhey feel with me that his position as
hi^h-priest is an outrage to the gods. Ask me no questions,
Nicotis, but be assured that my promises shall be kei)t I
will be high-priest; Plexo shall marry this child he fancies,
for his doing so will not only strengthen my position but
render his own succession secure, by silencing those who
might at my death seek to bring back the succession to
.Neco."

"That is well, Ptylus. I have long wondered that you
were content to be lorded over by Ameres. If I can aid
you in any way be sure that I will do so. By the way,
Amense invited us to a banquet she is about to give next
week. Shall we accept the invitation]"

"Certainly. We ixiust not show that we are in any way
oflfended at what has passed. As far as Ameres himself is
concerned it matters not, for the man has so good an
opinion of himself that nothing could persuade him that
he has enemies; but it would not do in view of what I have
resolved upon that any other should entertain the slightest
suspicion that there exists any ill-feeling between us."

Great preparations were made by Amense for the banquet
on the following week, for she had resolved that this should
completely eclipse the entertainments of Nicotis. Ameres
liad, as usual, left everything in her hands, and she spared
no expense. For a day or two previous large supplies of
food arrived from the country farm, and from the markets
in the city; and early on the morning of the entertainment
a host of professioiiui cooks arrived to jsreiJare the dinner.
The head cooks suiieriutended their labours. The meat
consisted of beef and goose, ibex, gazelle, and oryx; for
although large iiocks of shee[) were kejit for their wool the

144

niKPAIlATIONS Foil A liANQUKT.

flesh was not eaten by the E,i;3'^ptians. There were, besichs,
great numbers of ducks, quails, and other small fowl. Tii(3
chief cooks superintended the cutting up of the meat, and
the selection of the ditt'erent joints for boiling or roasting.
One servant worked with his feet a bellows, raising the fire
to the required heat; another skimmed the boiling caul-
drons with a spoon; and a third poimdod salt, pepper, an«l
other ingredients in a large mortar. Bakers and confec
tioners made light bread and pastry; the former beiirj;
made in the form of rolls, sprinkled at the toj) with carra-
way and other seeds. The confectionery was made of fruit
and other ingredients mixed with dough, and this was
formed by a skillful workman into various artistic shapes,
such as recumbent oxen, vases, temples, and otlier forms.
Besides the meats there was an abundance of all the most
delicate kinds of fish.

When the hour of noon approached Amercs and Amense
took their seats on two chairs at the upper end of the
chief apartment, and as the guests arrived each came up to
them to receive their welcome. When all had arrived the
women took their j)laces on chairs at the one side of the
hall, the men on the other. Then servants brought in
tables, piled up with dishes concaining the viands, and in
some cases filled with fruits and decorated with flowers,
and ranged them down the centre of the room.

Cups of wine were then handed round to the guests, lotus
flowers presented to them to hold in their hands, and gar-
lands of flowers placed round their necks. Stands, each
containing a number of jars of wine, stoppered with heads
of wheat and decked with garlands, were nuiged about the
room. Many small tables were now brought in, and round
these the guests took their seats upon low stools and chairs
— the women occupying those on one side of the room, the
men those on the other.

The servants now placed the dishes on the small tables,
male attendants waiting on the men, while the women were

B, besides,

VVl. Tll(3

neat, and
roastiui;.
g the firo
ing caul-
pper, and
d confec-
er beinu'
ith carra-
e of fruit
this was
; shapes,
T forms.
:he nio.st

Amense
I of the
ne up to
'ved the
3 of tlie
light in
and in
flowers,

ts, lotus
md gar-
Is, each
1 heads
out the
i round
i chairs
3m, the

tables,
n w(Me

II!

;it

111

ill

AN EGYPTIAN FEAST.

served by fomales. Egyptians were unacquainted with tho
use of knives and forks, the joints being cut up by tho
attendants into small pieces, and the gue.sts helping them-
selves from the dishes v-ith the aid of pieces of bread held
between the fingers. \ei:( tables formed a large part of the
meal, the meats beii.g mixed with them to serve as flavour-
ing; for in so hot a climate a vegeta'^le diet is far more
healthy than one coiUi^osed principally of meat. While the
meal was proceeding a party of female nuisicians, seated
on the ground in one corner of the room, played and
sang.

The ban(|uct lasted for a long time, tho number of dishes
served being very large. Wh(!n it was half over the tigui-e of
a nunnmy, of about three feet in length, was brought round
and presented to each guest in succession, as a reminder of
the uncertainty of existence. But as all present were accus-
tomed to this ceremony it had but little eileet, and the
sound of conversation and laughter, although cheeked for a
inoinent, broke out airain as soon as the fiijuro was removed.
Wine of many kinds was served during the dinner, the
women as well as the men partaking of it.

When all was concluded servants brought round golden
basins with perfumed water and na})kins, and the guests
removed from their fingers the gravy that even with the dain-
tiest care in feeding could not be altogether escaped. Then
the small tables and stools were removed, and the guests
took their places on the chairs along the sides of the room.
Then parties of male and female dancers by turn came in
and performed. Female acrobats a?i(l tumblers then entered,
and went throuL!;h a varietv of perforiiiances, and iutT'ders
showed feats of dexterity witii halls, and other tricks; while
the musicians of various nationalities played in turns upon
the instruments in use in their own countries. All this
time the attendants moved about among tho guests, serving
them with wine and keeping them supjilied with fresh
Howers. A bard recited an ode in honour of the glories of

( 481 ) K

AN UNSATISFACTOllY HUSBAND.

King Thotmos, and it was not until lato in the evening that
the entertainment came to an end.

"It has gone off splendidly," Amense said to Amercs
when all was over, and tlie last guest had been helped awiiy
by his servants; for there were many who were unable to
walk steadily unaided. "Noticing could have been better
— it will be the talk of the whole town ; and I could see
Xicotis was devoured by envy and vexation. I do think
great credit is du^ to Tie, Ameres, for you have really done
nothing towards the preparations."

"I am perfectly willing that you should have all the
credit, Amense," Amcrcs said wearily, " and I am glad that
you are satisfied. To me the whole thing is tedious and
tiresome to a degree. All this superabundance of food, this
too lavish usr of wine, and the postures and aiitios of the
actors and dan«'ers, is simply disgusting. However, if every-
one else was jdcased, of course I am content."

"You are the most unsatisfactory husband a woman ever
had," Amense said angrily. "I do believe you would )>n
perfectly ha})py shut up in your study with your rolls of
manuscript all your life, without seeing another human
being save a black slave to bring you in bread and fruit and
water twice a day."

"I think I should, my dear," Ameres replied calmly. "At
any rate I should prefer it vastly to such p waste of time,
and that in a form to ir.-j so disagreeable, as that I have had
to endure to-day."

THE noon IN THE WALU

147

CHAPTER IX.

A STARTLING EVENT.

IT was some days later tliat Chehron and Amul»a again
})ai(l a visit to tlie tein]>lc l)y moonligiit. . It was wcll-
iiiLi;li a niontli since they had been there; for, save when
tlie moon was uj), tlie darkness and gloom of the courts,
lighted only by the lamps of the altars, was so great tli;it
the place offered no attractions. Amuha, free from the
superstitions which influenced his comj)anion, would have
gone with him had he ])roposed it, although he too felt the
iiitlucnce of the darkness, and the dim weird figures of the
gods, seen but faintly by the lights that burned at thdr
feet. 15ut to Chebron, more imaginative and easily allected,
there was something absolutely terrible in the gloomy dark-
ness, and nothing would have induced him to wander in the
silent courts save when the moon threw her light upon
tiiem.

On entering one of the inner courts they found a massive
door in the wall standing ajar.

"Where does this lead to?" Amuba asked.

"I do not know. 1 have never seen it open before. I
think it must have been left unclosed by accident. We will
see where it leads to."

Oi)ening it they saw in front of them a flight of stairs in
the thickness of the wall.

" It leads up to the roof," Chebron said in surprise. " I
knew not there were any stairs to the roof, for when repairs
are needed the workmen mount by Adders."

"Let us go up, Chebron; it will be curious to look down
upon the courts."

"Yes, but we must be careful, Amuba; for, did any below
catch sight of us, they might spread an alarm."

118 "WHAT A CL'KIOUS I'LACK!"

"Wo nood only stay thoro a minut*^ or two," Ainiil>;i
urged. "'rii(3ro are so fow uhout tli.it wo are not likely in
bo scon, for if wu walk noiselessly none arc likoly to cast

loir cyos so

far u

pwards,

So saying Amuba led the way up the sta "?>, and Chcbron
somewhat reluctantly followed him. They lilt their way as
they went, and after mounting for a considerable distance
found that tho stairs ended in a narrow jiassage, at tlu!
end of which was an opening scarce three feet high ami
just wide enough for a man to pass through. This evi
dently opened into the outer air, as sutlicient light passed
through to enable them to see where they were standing.
Amuba crept out through the o})ening at tho end. Beyond
was a ledge a foot wide; beyond that rose a dome some six
feet high and eight or ten feet along the ledge.

"Come on, Chcbron; thci'O is plenty of room for both of
ua," ho said, looking backwards. Chebron at once joined
him.

"Where can we be'?" Amuba asked. "There is tho sky
overhead. \\'e iuc twenty feet from the top of the M'all,
and where this ledge ends, just before it gets to the sides
of this ston.e, it seems to go straight down."

Chebron lookisd rourd him.

"This must be the head of one of the statues," he said
after a pause. "What a curious place! I wonder what it
can have been made for. See, there is a hole here!"

Just in front of them was an opening of some six inches
in diameter in the stone.

Anuiba pushed his hand dow n.

"It seems to go a long way doAvn," he said; "but it is
and removiiiir his arm he looked down the

narrowmg,

hole.

"There is an opening at the other end," he said; "a small
narrow slit. It must have been made to enable anyone
standing here to see down, though I don't think they could see
much through so small a hole. I should think, Chebron. it"

th
til

A .MIDNHJMT (JATIII;KIN(J.

Ill)

tills i.s rc.illy tho top of tlie head of ouv. of the tjrcat fii^urca,
tliiit slit iiiust 1)0 where hia li[>s are. Don't you think so?"

Chehron aji^ieed that this was i)rolial»le.

"In that case," yVnuiha went on, "1 should say that this
hole must he made to allow the priests to ^'ive answers
tliioii<,'h the mouth of the image to supplications made to it.
1 have heard that the ima.ges sometimes _i;ave answens to the
worshippei's. Perhaps this is the .secret of it."

Chehron was silent. The idea was a painfid one to him;
for if this were so, it was evident that trickery wa.s jiractiscd.

"I think wo liad hotter go," he suid at last. "We have
done wrong in coming up here."

" Let me i)eep over the side lirst," Anuiha said. " It seems
to mo that I can hear voices helow."

Dut the projection of the head prevented his seeing nny-
thiiig heyond. lieturning he put his foot in the hole and
raiscil himself sufhciently to get on the top of the st^ne,
which was here so much tlattened that there was no risk of
falling off. Leaning forwaid he looked over the edgo. As
Anmha had guessed would he the case, ho found himself
on the head of the principal idol in the temple. Gathered
round the altar at its foot were seven or eight men, all of
whom he knew hy tho whiteness of thrir gai-ments to he
priests. Listening intently he could distinctly hear their
words. After waiting a minute he crawled hack.

"Come np hero, Chehron; there is something important
going on."

Chehron joined Ihtu, and the two, lying close together,
look(Kl dowji at the couit.

" i tell you we must do away with him," one of the group
])clow said in tones louder than had heen hitherto used.
"Vou know as well as I do that his heart is not in the
worship of the gods. Ho has aheady sliown himself desir-
ous of all sorts of innovations, and unless we take matters
in our hands there is no saying to what lengths he may
go. He might shatter the very worship of the gods. It is

.iO

A CONSlillAUY TU MLKKKll.

no use to try to overthrow liim optjnly; for he lias the sup-
port of tho king, and tin? cllbrts tliat liavo l)t'cn uv.uU liavc
not in any way shaken his position. Tliorcforc he must die.
It will be easy to put him out of the way. There are ])lcnty
of small chamhers and recesses which he mi.L,'lit be intluced
to enter on some pretext or other, and then be slain without
dihlculty, aiul his body taken away by night and thrown
into son^e of tho disused cataeombs.

"It would be a nine days' wonder when he was missed,
but no one could ever learn the truth of his disappearance.
I am ready to kill him with my own hands, and should
regard the deed as one most pleasing to the gods. There-
fore if you are ready to undertake tlie other arrangements,
and two of you will join me in seeing that the »leed is carrietl
out without noise or outcry, I will take the matter in hand.
I hate him, with his airs of holiness and his |)retended love
for the peojde. Besides, the good of our religion requires
that he shall die."

There was a chorus of approbation from the others.

" Leave me to determine the time and place," tlie speaker
went on, "and the excuse on which we will lead him to
his doom. Those who will not be actually engaged with
me in the business must be in the precincts of the place,
and see that no one comes that way, and make some ex-
cuse or other should a cry by chance be heard, and must
afterwards set on foot all sorts of rumours to account for
his actions. We can settle nothing to-night; but there is
no occasion for haste, and on the third night hence we will
again gather here."

Chebron touched Amuba, and the two crept back to
where they had been standing on the ledge.

"The villains are planning a murder in the very temple!"
Chebron said. "I will give them a fright;" and applying
his mouth to the orifice he cried:

" lieware, sacriligious wretches! Your plots shall fail and
ruin fall ujjon you!"

'* la N lui: vuLii Lii'i;, ( iir.iii;u.\ !"

I.. I

the 8iij»

ado have

nust (Ii<..

re i)lciitv

iiiducud

without

tJirowii

missed,

Oil ran CO.

should

There-

emeiits,

s carried

in liiind.

led Jovo

requires

rs.

sj)eaker
him to
ed with
e place,
)me ex-
d must
unt for
^liere is
we will

lack to

mple!"
•plying

lil and

"Come on, Cliel)ron!" Aniulta ex('luime<l, piillinL,' liis j;ur-
1111'nt. "Some of tlie fellows may know the secret of this
statue, and in that ease they will kill us without merey if
they find us liere."

I'assing tln-(iu;,'h tlie opening thin' groped tlieir way to
the top of the staiis, iiuiried down th<'so as fast as tiw^y
could in the (hirkness, and issueil out from the door.

"I hear footsteps!" Amuha exclaimed as they did so.
"Kun for your life, Ciiebron!"

.lust as they left the court they lieanl the noise of angry
voices, and hurried footsteps close by. At full speed they
ran through several courts and apartments.

"We had better hide, Amuba."

'* It will be no use trying to do'that. They will guard the
entrance-gates, give the alarm, and set all the priests on duty
ill the temi>le in search. No, come along (juiekly. They can-
not be sure tiiat it is we who spoke to them, and will probably
wait until one has ascended the stair to .see that no one is
lurking there. I think we are safe for the moment; but
there are no good hiding-places. I think you had better
walk straight to the entrance, Chebron. Your presence here
is natural enough, and those they post at the gates would
let you pass out without sus[)icion. I will tiy and find
myself a hiding-place."

"I certainly will not do that, Amuba. I am not going
to run away and leave you in the scrajie, esi)ecially as it
was 1 who got us into it l)y my rashness."

*'Is there any ]»la('e where workmen are engaged on the
walls]" Amuba asked suddenly.

'* Yes, in the third court on the right after entering,"
Chebron re[)lied. "They are rc})aintirig the figures on the
uj)per part of the wall. 1 was watching them at work
yesterday."

'Then in that case there must be some ladders. With
them we might get away safely. Let us make for the court
at once, but tread noiselessly, and if you hear a footstep

152

ON THE WALLS.

n])proaching hifle in the sliadow beliind the statue. Listen!
they are givinu; the alarm. They know that their num])er
Avould be iiltogetlier insufficient to search this great temple
thoroughly."

Shouts were indeed lieard, and the lads pressed on towards
the court Chcbron had spoken of. The temple now was
echoing with sounds, for the priests on duty, who had been
aslee}) as usual when not engaged in attending to the lights,
had iiow been roused by one of their number, who ran in
and told them some sacrilegious persons had made their
way into the temple.

" Here is the jilace," Chebron said, stopping at the foot
of the wall.

Here two or three Ions; liLfht ladders were standinsr.
Some of these reached purt of the distance only up the
v.;ilis, but the top of one could be seen against the sky-
line.

"Mount, Chebron! There is no time to lose. They may
be here at any moment."

Chebron mounted, followed closely by his companion.
Just as he gained the top of the wall several men carrying
torches ran into the court and bei^an to search alons: the
side Ivini; in shadow. Just as Amuba joined Chebron one
of the searcheis caught sight of them, and with a shout ran
towards the ladder.

"Pull, Chebron!" Amu.ba exclaimed as he tried to haul
up the ladder.

Chebron at once assisted him, and the foot of the ladder
was already many feet above the ground befoi-e the men
reached it. The height of the wall was some fifty feet, and
light as was the construction of the ladder it was as much
as the lads could do to pull it up to the top. The wall was
fully twelve feet in thickness, and as soon as the ladder was
up Amuba said :

" Keep av/ay from the edge, Chebron, or it is possible
that in this blight moonlight we niny be recognixed. ^Vt>

tol

F)'

THE ESCAPE.

153

musk be going on at once. Thoy will tie the short ladders
togotlier and be after us directly."

" Which way shall we go]"

"ToA^aids the outer wall, as far as possible from the gate.
Kring the ladder along."

Taking it upon their shoulders they hurried along. Critical
us the position was, Amuba could not help remarking on
the singularity of the scene. The massive walls were all
topped with white cement and stretched like broad ribbons,
crossing and recrossing each other in regular parallelograms
on a black irround.

Five miinites' running took them to the outer wall, and
the lad(i(!r was ii^ain lowered and they descended, and then
stood at its foot for a moment to listen. Everything was
still and silent.

"It is lucky they did not think of sctiding men to wateh
outside the walls when they lirst caught sight of us, or wo
should have been captured. I expect they thought of
nothing but getting down the other ladders and fastening
them togetlior. Let us make straight out and get well
away from the temple, and then we will return to your
house at our leisure. V^'e iiad better get out of sight if we
can before our pursuers find the top of the ladder, then as
tiiey will have no idea in which direction we have gone
they will give up the chase."

After an hour's walking they reached home. On the way
they had discusse<l whether or not Chebron should tell
Amercs what had taken place, and had agreed that it would
be best to be silent.

" Your father would not like to know that you have
discovered the secret of tlie imai:e, Chel)ron. If it was not
for that I siiould say you had best have told him. IJut 1
do not see that it would do any good now. We do not
know who the mo.u were who were plotting or whom they
were })lotting against. I'ut one thing is pretty certain, the}
will not try to carry out their plans now, for they cannot

|.^ i

! I

ir)t

TEliiaiiLE NEWS.

|i'^

tell how muclj of their conversation was overheard, and
their fear of discoveiy will put an end for the present to
this scheme of theirs."

Chebron agreed with Amnba's views, and it was decided
to .say nothing about the atl'air unless circumstances occurred
which might alter their intentions. They entered the house
(juietly and reached their apartment without disturbing any
of the inmates.

On the following morning one of the priests of the temple
arrived at an early hour and demanded to see Ameres.

"I have evil tidings to give you, my lord," he said.
" Your son Neco has this morning been killed."

"Neco killed?" Ameres repeated.

"It js, alas, but too true, my lord! He left the house
where he lives with two other priests but a short distance
from the gate of the tenii)le at his usual. It was his turn to
oiler the sacrifices at dawn, and it must have been still dark
when he left the hoi se. As he did not arrive at the proper
time a messenger was sent to fetch him, and he found him
lying dead but a few paces from his own door, stabbed to
the heart."

Ameres waved his hand to signify that he would be alone,
and sat down half stunned by the sudden shock.

Between himself and his eldest son there was no great
affection, Neco was of a cold and formal disposition, and
although Ameres would in his own house have glad'y re-
laxed in his case, as he had done in that of Chebron, the
rigid respect and deference demanded by Egyptian custom
on the part of sons towards their father, Feco had never
responded to his advances and had been punctilious in all
the observances practised at the time. Except wnen abso-
lutely commanded to do so, he had never taken a seat in
his father's })resence, had never addressed him unless
spoken to, had made his appearance only at stated times
to pay his respects to him, and when dismissed had gladly
hurried away to the priest who acted as his tutor.

a.mj:nsi:'s gkikk.

1 :>j

ard, and
resent to

5 decided
occurred
lie house
bin

gany

e temple

es.

he said.

e house
distance

turn to
ill dark

proper
nd him
Jbed to

3 alone,

) great
►n, and
d'v re-
)n, the
!Ustom

never

in all

abso-
Bat in
unless
times
jladly

As he grew up the gap had widened instead of closing.
A meres saw with regret that his mind was narrow and his
understanding sliallow, that in mattei's of religion he was
bigoted; while at the same time he perceived that his ex-
tieme zeal in tlio services of tiie temi)le, his absorption in
ceremonial observances of all kinds, were due in no slight
(". I'j-ree to ambition, and that ho was endeavourinij to obtain
reputation for distinguished piety with a view to succeeding
some day to the office of high-priest. He guessed that the
eagerness with which Neco embraced the first opportunity
of withdrawing himself from his home and joining two
other young priests in their establislnnent was due to a
desire to disassociate himself from his father, and thus to
make an unspoken protest against the latitude of opinion
that had raised up a party hostile to Ameres.

Although living so close it was very seldom that he had,
after once leaving the house, again entered it; generally
choosing a time when his father was absert and so paying
his visits only to his mother. Still the news of his sudden
death was a great shock, and Ameres sat without moving
for some minutes until a sudden outburst of cries in the
house betokened that the messenger had told his tidings
to the servants, and that these had carried them to their
mistress. Ameres at once went to Ins wife's apartment and
endeavoured to console her, but wholly without success.

Amense was frantic with grief. Although herself much
addicted to the pleasures of the world she had the highest
resi)ect for religion, and the ardour of Neco in the dis-
charge of his religious duties had been a source of pride
and gratification to her. Not only was it ])leasant to hear
lier son sjjoken of as one of the most rising of the young
jiiiesthood, but she saw that he would nialce his way
rapidly and wouhl ere long become the recognized suc-
cessor to his father's oflice. Chcbron and Mysa l)Oie the
news of their brother's death with mucii nxjre resignation.
For the last three years they had scarcely seen him, and

lilifl

156

NO CLUE TO THE CRIME.

i i

even when living at home there had boon nothing in com-
mon between him and them. They were indeed more awed
by the suddenness of his death than grieved at his loss.

When he left them Ameres went at once to the house of
Neco to make furtlier inquiries into the matter. There
he could learn nothing that could afford any clue. Neco
had been late at the temple and had not returned until
long after the rest of the household were in bed, and none
had seen him before he left in the morning. No sound of
a struggle or cry for help had been heard. His death had
apparently been instantaneous. He had been stabbed in
the back l)y someone who had probably been lurking close
to tiie door awaitini^ his comin'' out.

The genci'al opinion there and in the temple was that he
must have fallen a victim to a fooling of revenge on the part
of some attendant in the building who on his report had
und forgone disgrace and punishment for some fault of care-
lessness or inattention in the services or in the care of the
sacred animals. As a score of attendants had at one time
or other been so reported by Neco, for he was constantly on
the look-out for small irregularities, it was impossible to fix
the crime on one more than another.

The magistrates, who arrived soon after Ameres to inves-
tigate the matter, called the whole of those who could be
suspected of harljouring ill-will against Neco to be brought
before them, and questioned as to their doings during the
night. All stoutly asserted that they had been in bed at
the time of the murder, and nothing occurred to throw a
suspicion upon one more than another. As soon as the
investigation was concluded Ameres ordered the corpse to
be brouuht to his own house.

Covered by white cloths it was placed on a sort of sledge.
This was drawn by six of the attendants of the temple;
Ameres and Chebron followed behind, and after them came
a })rocession of })riests. When it arrived at the house,
Amense and JMysa, with tlieir hair unbound and falling

m com-
e awed

iss.

ouse of
There
Neco
I until
d none
>und of
th had
bed in
g close

hat he
he part
it iiad
'f care-
of the
e time
ntly on
} to fix

mves-
uld be
rought
ng the
bed at
irow a
as the
pse to

sledge,
imple;
I came
house,
[ailing

■ '*rf~wf«if. .-.iT'-'^rTt-ji.-a'

r.n

s7R7U^ue/m ,

AMKNSK AM) MVSA liEWAIl. IIIK DKATH OF NECO.

THE TIME OF MOURNING.

157

around them, received the body, — uttering loud cries of
lamentations, in wliith they were joined by all the women
of the house. It was cairied into iin inner a[)artnient,
and there until evening a loud wailing was kept up, many
female relatives and friends coming in and joining in the
outcry. Late in the evening the body was taken out, placed
upon another sledge, and, folfowed by the male relatives
and friends and by all the attendants and slaves of t!ie
house, was carried to the establishment of Chigron the
eml);Jmt!r. During the forty days occu[)icd by the process
the strictest mourning was observed in the house. No meat
or wheaten bread was eaten, nor wine served at the table —
even the luxury of the bath was abandoned. All the males
shaved their eyebrows, and sounds of loud lamentation oti
the part of the women echoed through the house.

At the end of that time the mummy was brought
hack in great stat:% and placed in the room which was
in all large Egyptian houses set apart for the reception
of the dead. The rnummy-case was placed ui)right against
the wall. Here sacritices similar to those oil'ered at tlu;
temple were made. Ameres himself and a number of the
priests of the rank of those decorated with leopard skins
took part in the services. Incense and libation were ofl'ered.
Amense and Mysa were present at the ceremony, and wailed
with their hair in disorder over their shoulders and dust
sprinkled on their heads. Oil was poured over the head of
the mumm}', and after the ceremony was over Amense and
]\Iysa embraced the mummied body, bathing its feet with
their tears and uttering expressions of grief and praises of
the deceased.

In the evening a feast was held in honour of the dead.
On this occasion the signs of grief were laid aside, and the
joyful aspect of the departure of the dead to a happy exist-
ence prevailed. A largo number of friends and relations
were present. The guests were annointed and deckt-d witli
flowers, as was usual at these parties, and after the meal tlio

158

THE FIJNKUAL CEREMONIES.

miimTTiy was diawn through tlio room in token that his
spirit was still present among them. Amense would fain
have ke[)t the niunnny for some time in the house as wan
often the practice, hut Anierea preferred that the funeral
sliould take place at once.

Three days uitc- the procession asstn/hlod and started
froir. tht^ ' ou,;>ij.. I'.rst cauio servants bearing tables laden
with frui!, c:iki '., flowers, vases of ointment, wine, some
young gee^^c ai a -ate for sacrifice, chairs, wooden tables,
najtkins, and other things. Then came others carrying
small closets containing the images of the gods; they
also carried daggers, bows, sandals, and fans, and each
bore a napkin upon his shoulder. Then came a table with
offerings and a chariot drawn by a pair of horses, th<^
charioteer driving them as he walked behind the chariot.
Then came the bearers of a sacred boat and the mysterious
eye of Horns, the god of stability. Others carried small
images of blue pottery representing the deceased under the
form of Osiris, and the bird emblematic of the soul. Then
eight women of the class of paid mourners came along beat
ing their breasts, throwing dust upon tb.eir heads, and
uttering loud lamentations. Ameres, clad in a leopard
skin, and having in his hands the censer and vase of liba-
tion, accompanied by his attendants bearing the various im-
plements used in the services, and followed by a number of
priests also clad in leopard skins, now came along. Imme-
diately behind them followed the consecraied boat placed
upon a sledge, and containing the mummy-case in a large
exterior case covered with paintings. It was drawn by four
oxen and seven men. In the boat Amense and Mysa were
seated. The sledge was decked with flowers, and was
followed by Chebron and other relatives and friends of the
deceased, beating their breasts and lamenting loudly.

When they arrived at tlie sacred lake, v;hich was a large
piece of artificial water, the coffin was taken from the small
boat in which it had been conveyed and placed in the baiis

V
ro

TMK SA([;i:i) l.AKK.

i:.9

\ that 'lis
muld fain
use as was
le funeral

1(1 start(.'(l
jles laden
ine, sonio
an tal>lL'.s,

carrying
'ds; they
and each
able with
rnses, tlic
3 chariot,
lysterions
ied small
inder the
1. Then
m<; beat
ads, and

leopard
3 of liba-
rious im-
imber of

Imme-
t placed

a large

by four
^sa were
md was
s of the

V-
a large
le small
he baris

lit of the dead. 'Di

or conserraieM l lat or tiie Ucatl. 1 Mis was a gorgcously-
j)ainted b ^at with a lofty cabin. Amciise, Mysa, and Cheb-
ron ijok their places lu'"j. It was towed by a large boat
with sails and oars. The members of the procession then
took their places in other riclilv -decorated saiiin*' boats, and
all crossed the lake togi^tiier. The procession was then re-
formed and went in tiie same order to the tomb. Here
the mummy-case was placed on the slab prepared for it,
antl a sacritice and libation with incense ofTered. The door
of the tomb was then closed, but not fastened, : "ucrificial
services would be held there periodically for ivm years.
The procession then returned on foot to the Ik, ^e

During all this time no certain clue had " >eii obtained
as to the authors of the murder. Upon g^Mni. ujs to the
temple on the day of N(!co's death Chebron '"'iu>'<l all sorts

of rumours current.

The

all'air of the ,»i't.vious niiiht

had been greatly magnified, and it was generally believed
that a strong party of men had entered the temple w ith the
intention of carrying otF the sacred vessels, but that they
had been disturbed just as they were going to break into the
subterranean a[)artments where these were kept, and had
then fled to the ladders and escaped over the wall before a
sufficient force could be collected to detain them. It was
generally supi)osed that this affair was in some way con-
nected with the death of Neco. Upon Chebron's return
with this news he and Amuba agreed that it was necessary
to inform Ameres at onct^ of their doings on the previous
night. After the evening meal was over Ameres called
Chebron into his study.

"Have you heard aiiglit in the temple, Chebron, as to this
strange affair that took [)lace there last night? I cannot see
how it can have any connection with your brother's death;
still, it is strange. Have you heard who first discovered
these thieves last night? Some say that it was Ptylus,
though what he should be doing there at that hour I know
not. Four or live others are niuned bv jiriests as having

■ ^•■''TtJv

I'iU

AMi:UES HKAHS CHKI'.UuN'S STOllY.

aronscfl them; but curiously not ono of tli(>s(! is Jii the t(Mii|»l<'
to-day. 1 liavo received a letter from I'tyius sayiuL,^ that )>»•
has been siiddouly called to visit soino relations livin<^ on
the sca-sliore near the mouths of the Nile. The otlun-s sent,
similar excuses. I have sent to their houses, but all ai)i)ear
to have left at an early hour this mornini,'. This is most,
stran,L:;e, for none notitied to me yesterday that they had
occasion to be absent, ^^hat can be their nuttivo in thus
running away when naturally they wotdd obtain praise and
lionour for having saved the vessels of the temple? Have
you heard anything that would seem to throw any light
upon the subject?"

"I have heard nothing, father; but I can tell you much.
I should have sjtoken to you the liist thing this morning had
it not been for the news about Neco." Chebron then related
to Ameres how he and Amuba had the night before visited
the temple, ascended the stair behind the image of the god,
and oveiheard a i)lot to murder some uidviiown person.

"This is an extraordinary tale, Chebron," Ameres said
when lie had brought his story to a conclusion. " You
certainly would have been slain had you been overtaken.
How the door that led to the staircase came to be o})en I
cannot imagine. The place is only used on very rare oeca
sions, when it is deemed absolutely necessary that we should
influence in one direction or another the course of events.
I can only suppose that when last used, which is now some
months since, the door must have been carelessly fastened,
and that it only now opened of itself. Still, that is a minor
matter, and it is fortunate that it is you who made the
discovery. As to this cons})iracy you say you overheard,
it is nmch more serious. To my mind the sudden absence
of Ptylus and the others would seem to show that they were
conscious of guilt.

"Their presence in the temple so late was in itself singu-
lar; and, as you say, they cainiot know how much of their
conversation was overheard. Against whom their plot was

,sS*

TIIK HKJII-IMIIKST'S VIKW.

101

ho toin|>l('
I? tliat }«»!
livin;^ on
tli(!r.s sent
ill appear
s is most
tlioy had
ill thus
•raiso and
^? Havo
liny light

oil much,
riling had
!n relate* I
fc visited

the god,
•son.

eres said
" You
i^ertakcn.
>e open I
•are occa
*^e sliould
f events.
ow some
fastened,

a minor
luuk! the
'erheard,

absence
!iey were

If singu-

of tlioir

plot was

dirortod T can form no idea; thouirh, douhtloss, it was a

lersonaiije o

i iiid

I iinpoitance.

You do not tiiink, father," ('hehron said hesitatingly,
"that the plot could have l)een to nninler Neco. This is
what Amuha and 1 thought when we talked it over this
afternoon."

" I do not think so," Ameres said after a pause. " It is
hardly likely that four or five persons would plot together
to carry out the murder of one in his position; it must bo
someone of far greater importanco. Neco may not have
been liked, but he was certainly held in esteem by all the
priests in the temple."

" You see, father," Chebron said, "that Ptylus is an ambi-
tious man, and may have hoped at some time or other to
become high-priest. Neco would have stood in his way, for,
as the otlice is hereditary, if the eldest son is fitted to under-
take it, Neco would almost certainly be selected."

"That is true, Chebron, but 1 have no reason to credit
Ptylus with such wickedness; besides, ho would hardly take
other peoj)le into his confidence did he entertain such a
scheme. Moreover, knowing that they were overheard last
night, although they cannot tell how much may have been
gathered by the listener, they would assuredly not have
carried the plan into execution ; besides which, as you say,
no j)lan was arrived at, and after the whole temple was dis-
turbed they would liardlv have met afterwards and arranged
this fresh scheme of murder. No. ]f Neco was killed by
them, it must have been that they suspected that he was one
of those who overheard them. His figure is not unlike yours.
They may probably have obtained a glimpse of you on the
walls, and have noticed your priest s attire. He was in the
temple late, and probably left just before you were discovered.
Believing, then, that they were overheard, and thinking
that one of the listeners was Neco, they decided for their
own safety to remove him. Of course it is mere assutnjttion
that Ptylus was one of those you overheard last night. His

( 481 ) L

1C2

CIIAVK srsiMcioNs.

1; I

I! t

I: 1

1^ '

al)scnrn to <lay is tlm only tliini; wo liavo ,ac;ainst liim, arnl
tliJit alone is wholly insiitlii-icnt to niulih' us to movi! in tin-
niattor. 'i'lio uliol(! jitliiir is a ti riihli! mystery; bo assuni'i
1 will do tiiy Ix'st to unravol ii-. At inescnt, in any casi;,
wo can do notliijiL;. I'tylus and the lour priests who aie
altsent will donhlless r'oturn when they find that no iiccusa
tion is laid au'iiinst tluini. They will siipjiose that the other
person who overhcjard thoni, whoever he was, is cither afraiil
to come forward, or perhttps heard only a few woids and is
ignorant of the identity of the speakers. Indeed, he would
be a bold man who would ventuie to prefer so terrible an
accusation ai^ainst five of the piiests of the temple. I do
not blame you in the matter, for you could not have fore-
seen the events that have happened. It was the will of the
gods that you should have learned what you have l(;arneil;
jteihaps they intend some day that you shall hv- their instru
ment for bringing the guilty to justiec. As to the conspiracy,
no doubt, as you say, the ))lot, against whomsoever it was
directed, will be abandoned, for they will never be sure as
to how much is known of what passed between them, and
whether those who overheard them may not be waiting for
the commission of the crown to denounce them. In the
meantime you will on no account renew your visit to the
temple or enter it at any time, excc[>t when called upon to
do so by your duties."

The very day after Neco's funeral Mysa and her mother
weie thrown into a flutter of excitement by a message which
arrived from Bubastes. Some months before the sacred cat of
tlie great temple there — a cat held in as high honour in Lower
Egypt as the bull Ai)is in the TlK^baid— hatl fallen sick, and,
in s[)ite of the care and attendance lavished upon it, had
died. The task of finding its successor was an imi)ortant
and arduous one, and, like the bull of Apis, it was neces-
sary not only that the cat should be distinguished for its
size and beauty, but that it should bear certain markings.
Without these particular markings no cat could be elevated

Tin: sA( i:i;i) cat.

]C>:]

to tlin sacrrd post, ovon if it roTiiaiiiod vacant for years;
tlicrcfort', as soon as tlio cat was dead a party of j)ricstH sot
out fr(»m I >u hastes to visit all tlio cities of Kgypt in search
of its successor.

The whole country was agitated with the (]Ucstion of the
sacred cat, and at each town they visited lists were hroii^ht
to the i)riests of all the cats which, from size, shaj)e, and
colour, couitl he considered as candidates for the otHi^e. As
soon as one of the parties of the priests had n^ached 'I'liehes
Arncnso had sent to them a description of Mvsa's 'Mtiat cat
I'aucis. Hitlierto, Amense had evinced no interest what-
ever in her dau^i^hter's pet.s, seldom goin^i^ out into the garden,
except to sit under the shade of the trees near the fountain
for a short time in the afternoon when the sun had lost its
poW(!r.

]n I'aiicis, indeed, she had taken some slight interest;
})ecause, in the fii'st place, it was only hecoming that the
mistress of the house should husy herself as to the welfare
of animals deemed so sacred; and in the second, hecauso all
who saw l*aucis agreed that it was remarkahle alike in size
and heauty, and the presence of such a creature in the house
was in itsidf a source of j)ride and dignity. Thus then she
lost no time in sending a nufssage to the j)riests inviting
them to call an<l visit her and inspect the cat. Although, as
a rule, the competitors for the post of sacred cat of
Huliastes wove hrouglit in baskets hy their owners for in-
spection, the j)riests were willing enough to pay a visit
in p(;rson to the wife of so important a man as the high-
priest ol Osiris.

Amense received them with much honour, presented Mysa
to tliem as the owner of the cat, and herself accom})aiiii'd
the priests in their visit to the home of Mysa's pets. 'llR'ir
report was most favourable. They had, since tlicy left
lUihastes, seen no cat approaching Paucis in size ai;t) heauty,
and although her markings were not precisely c '.r ect they
yet approximated very closely to the standard, 'i iiey Ci»uld

10.

THE SUCCKSSKUL COMI'KTITOU.

say no more than this, hecanse the docision could not he
made until the retniii of all the parties of searchers to
Biihastes, Th'-ir reports would then he coin))ared, and unlcs'^
pny one animal ajijx'ared exactly to suit all requirements, a
visit would he made hy the hi,!4h-})riest of the temi)le hiui
self to three or four of the cats most hij^lily reported upou.
If he found one of them worthy of the honour, it would he
. selected for the vacant position.

If none of them came up to the lofty standard the post
would remain uniilled for a year or two, when it might he
lioped that among the rising geneiation of cats a worthy
successor to the departed one might he found. For them-
selves th?y must continue their search in Tliebes and its
neighbourhood, as all claimants must be examined; but
they assured Amense that they thought it most improbable
that a cat equal to Faucis would be found.

Some months had })assed, and it was not until a week
after the funeral of Neco that a message arrived, saying
that the rei»o!'t concerning Faucis by the })riests who had
visited Thebes was so much more favourable than that
given by any of the other searchers of the animals they
had seen, that it had been decided by the iiigh-priest that
it alone was worthy of the honour.

The messenger stated that in the course of a fortnight a
deputation consisting of the high-[)riesfc and several leadijig
functionaries of the temi)le, with a retinue of the lower
clergy ond attendants, would set out from Bubastes by
water in order to receive the .acred cat, and to conduct her
with all due ceremony to tae shrine of Fubastes, Mysa
was delighted at the honour which liad befallen her cat.
Privately she was less fond of Faucis than of some of the
less stately cats; for Faucis, from the time it grew up, had
none of the playfulness of the tribe, bvit deported itself with
a ])lacid dignity which would do honour to its new })ositiori,
but which render('<l it lesp annising to Mysa than its
humbler but more active companions.

Sll

iM not hp
arcliers to
.111(1 unless
rements, a
iiiple him
rted upon.
'' would be

I the post
migjit he
a worthy

For them-
3S and its
ined; but
n probable

II a woek
d, saying
who had
ban that
lals they
^iest that

rtnight a
I lead

le lower
istes by
J act her
. Mysa
her cat.
e of tbe
ii]), had
elf witji
•osition,
han it.s

A GliEAT HUNULII.

IGJ

Amcnse was vastly gratified at the news. It was con-
,si<lered the highest honour that could befall an I-'jgy])tian
for one of his animals to be chosen to fill the chief post in
one of the temples, and ne.s:t in dignity to Apis himself
was the sacred cat of the great goddess known as Baste,
pjubastes, or Paslit.

As soon as th news was known, all the friends and
acquaintances of the family flocked in to offer their con-
gratulations; and so matiy visits were jtaid to Mysa's in-
closure that even the tranquility of Faucis was disturbed
by the succession of admirers, and Amense, declaring tbat
she felt herself responsible for the animal being in perfect
health when the priests arrived for it, permitted only the
callers, whom she particularly desired to honour, to pay a
visit of inspection to it.

CHAPTER X.

THE CAT OF BUBASTES.

FOR several days, upon paying their morning visit to the
birds and other ])ets in the inclosure in the garden,
Chebron and Mysa had observed an unusual timidity among
them. Tlie wild fowl, instead of advancing to meet them
with demonstrations of welcome, remained close amontr the
reeds, and even the ibis did not respond at once to their call.
"They must have been alarmed at something," Chebron
said the third moi-ning. " Some bird of })rey must have
been swooping down upon them. See hero, there are several
feathers scattered about, and some of them are stained with
blood. Look at that pretty drake that was brought to us
by the merchants in' trade with the far East. Its mate is
missing. It may be a hawk or some creature of the weasel

ICG

THE FATAL AUliUW.

tribe. At any rate we must try to put a stop to it. Tliis is
the tliird morning tliat we have noticed the change in the
beliaviour of the birds. Doubtless three of them have been
carried otf. Amuba and I will watch to-morrow with oui
bows and arrows and see if we cannot put an end to t!ie
marauder. If this goes on we shall lose all our pots."

Upon the following morning Clu^hron and Amuba went
down to the inclosure soon after daybreak, and concealing
themselves in some shrubs waited for the api)earance of the
intruder. The ducks were splashing about in the pond,
evidently forgetful of their fright of the day before; and as
soon as the sun was up the dogs came out of their house
and threw themselves down on a spot where his rays could
fall upon them, while the cats sat and cleaned themselves
on a ledge behind a lattice, for they were only allowed to
run about in the inclosure vviien some one was there to pre-
vent their interference witii birds.

For an hour there was no sign of an enemy. Then one of
the birds gave a sudden cry of alarm, and there was a
sudtlcn ilutter as all rushed to shelter amonui; the reeds; but
before tl.e last couhl get within cover a dark object shot
down from above. There was a frightened cry and a violent
flapping as a large hawk suddenly seized one of the water-
fowl and struck it to the ground. In an instant the
watchers rose to their feet, and as the hawk rose with itit
prey in its talons they shot their arrows almost simul-
taneously Amuba's arrow struck the hawk between the
wings, and the creature fell dead still clutching its prey.
Chebron's arrow was equally wel) aimed, but it struck a
twig which deflected its course and it flew wide of the mark.

Amuba gave a shout of triu nph and leapt out from among
the bushes. But he paused and turned as an exclamation
of alarm broke from Cliebron. To his astonishment, he
saw a look of horror on his companion's face. His bow
was still outstretched, and he stood as if i)ctrificd.

" What's the matter, Chebron ?" Amuba exclaimed. "What

I'll
C

A THUmiiLK ACCIDr.NT.

107

This is
10 in th(3
ave hecii
with GUI'
d to the

iba -svcnt
)Mceahii<j
ze of the
le pond,
; and as
ir house
ys could
sniselves
owed to
13 to j)re-

n one of
e was a
3ds; but
cct shot
I violent
e water-
ant the
with iti
t simul-
een the
ts prey,
itruck a
le mark.
I amon<j:
amation
lent, he
lis bow

What

h.as happc'icd? Has a deadly siialve Ml you'f What is it,
Chebron?"

"Do you not seel" Chebron said in a low voice.

"I see nothing," Aniuba re[)lied looking round, and at
the same time putcing another arrow into his bow-string
I'cady to repel the attaek of some dangerous creature.
" Wlu'ie is it? [ can sec; nothing."

"^ly arrow; it ghiueed otl a twig and entered there; I
saw one of the cats fall. I must have killed it."

Two years before Aniuba would have laugluMl at the liorror
which Chebron's face e.\})iessed at the accident of shooting
a cat, but he had been long enough in Kgypt to know iiow
serious were the conse(juences (►f such an act. J letter by
far that Ch(d)ron's ai'i'ow had lodged in the heart of a man.
In that case an explanation of the manner in which the
a-'cident had occurred, a compensation to the relatives of
the slain, an<l an ex[)iatory ottering at one of the temi)les
would have been deemed sufficient to purge him from tl.j
otlence; but to kill a cat, even by accident, was the most
unpardon.ible offence an Egyptian could commit, and the
oti'ender would assuredly be torn to pieces by the mob.
Knov/ing this he realized at once the icrrible import of
Chebron's woi'ds.

For a moment lie felt almost as much stunned as Chebron
himself, but he ipiickly recovered his presence of mind.

" There is only one thing to be done, Chebron ; we must
dig a hole and bury it at once. I will run and fetch a hoe."

Throwinij; down his bow and arrows he ran to the little
shed at the other end of the garden where the implements
were kept, bidding a careless good morning to the men who
were already at work there. He soon rejoined Chebron,
who had not moved from the spot from which he had shot
the unlucky arrow.

"Do you think this is best, Anui])a? Don't you think I
had better go and tell mv father?"

"1 d) not think .so, Chebron. U[)on a.;y other matter it

106

LUUVING THE VICTIM.

would 1)0 ri^'lit at once to confer with liim, 'mt as liigli-
|)riest it would be a fearful burden to place upon his shoul-
ders. It would be his duty at once to denounce you; and
did he kee\) it secret, and the matter be ever found out, it
would involve him in our danger. Let us therefore bear the
brunt of it by ourselves."

"I dare not go in," Chebron said in awestruck tones. "It
is too terrible."

" Oh, I M'ill manage that," Amuba said lightly. " You
know to me a cat is a cat and nothing, more, and I would
just as soon bury one as that rascally hawk which has been
the cause of all this mischief."

So saying he crossed the open space, and entering a thick
bush beyond the cat-house, dug a deep hole; then he went
into the house. Although having no belief whatever in
the sacredness of one animal more than another, he had
yet been long enough among the Egyptians to feel a sensa-
tion akin to awe as he entered and saw lying upon the
ground the largest of the cats pierced through by Chebron's
arrow.

Drawing out the shaft he lifted the animal, and putting it
under his garment went out again, and entering the bushes
buried it in the hole he had dug. He levelled the soil care-
fully over it, and scattered a few dead leaves on the top.

"There, no one would notice that," he said to himself
when he had finished; "but it's awfully unlucky it's that cat
of all othors."

Then he went in, carefully erased the marks of blood
upon the iloor, and brought out the shaft, took it do .vn to
the pond and carefully washed the blood from it, and theii
returned to Chebron.

"Is it — ?" the latter asked as he approached. He did not
s.iy more, but Amuba understood him.

" i am sorry to say it is," he replied. " It is horribly un-
lucky, for oue of the others might not have been missed.
'i iuTo is no hulling that now."

\v:

till
thi

1»1
1.4

thI

^ <l

ClIt'UinN s DKSrAlK.

1G1.»

t as Iii-I,.

his shoul-

y«u; and

inil out, it

e bear the

ones. "It

" You
I would
has been

ig a tliick
he went
atover in
he had
I a sensa-
jpon the
'hebron's

utting it
e bushes
5oiI care-
5 top.
himself
that cat

f blood
\o,n\ to
id then

did not

bly un-
missed.

Chchron soomed paralyzed at the news.

"Come, Chebrou," Amuba said, "it will not do to give
way to fear, we must brave it r^ut. I will leave the door of
the cat-house open, and when it is missed it will be thought
that it has esca[)ed and wandered away. At any rate there
is no reason why suspicion should fall upon us if wc do but
put a bold face u|)on the matter; but we must not let our
looks betray us. If the worst conuis to the worst, and we tind
that suspicions are entertained, we must get out of the way.
Hut there will bo i»lr;ity of time to think of that, all that
you have got to do now is to try and look as if nothing had
happened."

" But how can T?" Chcbron said in broken tonea. " To you,
as you say, it is only a cat; to me it is a creature sacred
aliove all others that 1 have slain. It is ten thousand times
worse than if I had killed a man."

" A cat is a cat," Amuba rei)eated. " I can understand what
you feel about it, though to my mind it is ridiculous. There
are thousands of cats in Thebes, let them choose another one
tor the temple. But I grant the danger of wh^it, has happened,
and I know that if it is found out there is no hope for us."

"You had nothing to do with it," Chebron said; "there
is no reason why you should take all this risk with me."

" We were both in the matter, Chebron, and th; twig might
just as well have turned my arrow from itscourse yours. We
went to kill a hawk together and we have sho' i cat, and it
is a terrible business, there is no doubt; and it makes no dif-
ference whatever whether I think the cat w; only a cat if
the people of Thebes considered it is a god. If it is found
out it is certain death, and we shall nee ad our wits to
save our lives; but uidess you pluck up courage and look a
little more like yourself, we may as well go at once and
say what has happened and take the conseijuences. Only
if you don't value your life I do mine; so if you mean to let
your looks betray us, say so, and stop here foi- a few houis
till I ;ret a irood start."

170

"1 WILL TKLL MY FATHEK."

I; i

" I will tell my father," Chebron said suddenly, " and abide
by what he says. If he tliinks it is his duty to denounce me,

be it;

111

that

case you will run no ris

ik.

" But I don't mind running the risk, Chebron; I am quite
ready to sluire the peril with you."

" No; I will tell my father," Chebron repeated, "and abide
by what he says. 1 am suie I can never face this out by
myself, and that my looks will bcti-ay us. I have committed
the most terrible crime an I'.gyjttian can commit, and I dare
not keep sucii a secret to myself."

"Very well, Chebron, 1 will not try to dissuade you, and
I will go and see .Icthio. Of course to hiri as to me the
shooting of a cat is a matter not worth a second thought;
but ho will understand tiie consequences, and if we fly will
accomi)any us. You do not mind my speaking to himi You
could trust your life to him as to me."

Chebron nodded, and moved away towards '^^he house.

"For i)ity sake, Ch'^bron!" Amuba exclaimed, "do not
walk like that. If the men at work get sight of you they can-
not but see that something strange has liapi)ened, and it will
be recalled against you when the creature is missed."

Chebron made an ellort to walk with his usual gait.
Amuba stood watching him for a minute, and then turned
away with a gesture of i ipatience.

"Chebron is clever and learned in many things, and I do
not think that he lacks courage; but these Egyptians seem
to have no iron in their composition when a pinch comes.
Chebron walks as if all his bones had turned to jelly. Of
course he is in a horrible scrape; stili if he would but face it
out with sense and pluck it would be easier for us all. How-
ever, I do think that it is more the idea that he has com-
mitted an act of horrible sacrilege than the fear of death
that weiirhs him down. If it were not so serious a matter
one could almost lauirh at any one beino; crushed to the

earth b

he had accidentally killed a cat.

ecause
U}>on entering the house Chebion made his way to the

TOO

hea

l^ai
«-\
in
ha

'* YUUK LIFE IS l.NDKKIi FUltl KITKH."

171

' and abirle
ounce me,

I am quite

and abide
lis out by
ommitted
md I dare

5 you, and
me the
thought;
»'e fly will
im? You

house,
"do not
they can-

md it will

!ual gait.

n turned

and I do

ans seem
h. comes.
5lly. Of
iit face it
!1. How-
has com-
of death
I matter
I to the

Y to the

room where lii.s father was engaged in study. 1 )i-()iij)iiig tlio
lii'avy curtains over the door holiiiid iiim lie advanced a feu-
paces, then fell on his knees, and touclied the ground witli
liis forehead.

"Chebron!" Ameres exclaimed, laving down tlio roll of
papyrus on which he was engaged and rising to his feet.
" Wliat is it, my son? Wiiy do you tlnis kneel before me
in an attitude of supplication? Kise and tell ni(,' what has
iia[)pened."

Chebron raised his hea<l but still continncMl on ids knees.
Ameres was startled at the expression of his son's face. The
look of health and life had gone from it, the colour beneath
the bronze skin had faded away, drops of persj)iration stood
on his forehead, his lips were j)arched and drawn.

" What is it, my son?" Ameres repeated, now thoroughly
alarmed.

"1 have forfeited mv life, father! W«,'sr i have oflended
the gods beyond forgivem^ss! This moiniiig I went with
Anuiba with our bows and arrows to shoot a ha\vk which
has f(jr some time been slaying the water-fowl. It came
down and we shot together. Amuba killed the hawk, but my
arrow struck a tree and flew wide of the mark, and entering
the cat's house killed Paucis, who was chosen only two days
ago to take the place of the sacred cat in the temple of
Bubastes."

An exclamation of horror broke from the high -priest, and
he recoiled a pace from his son.

"Unhappy boy," he said, "your life is indeed forfe'ted.
The kii^g himself could not save his son from the fury of the
populace had he peri)etrat8d such a deed."

" It is not my life I am thinking of, father," Chebron
said, " but first of the horrible sacrilege, and then that I
alone cannot bear the consequences, but that some of these
must fall U|)on you and my mother and sistei-; for even to
be related to one who has committed such a crime is a ter-
rible disgrace."

172

IIIAT IS NUT TK()i:jiLlN(i iME.

Ameres Wiilkcd up and down tlie room several times !)»'
fore lie spoke,

"As to our share of the consequences, Chehron, we must
hear it as best we can," he sai<l at last in a rainier tone th;ui
he had before used; "it is of you we must first think. It is
a terrible all'air; and yet, as you say, it was but an accident,
and you are guiltless of any intentional sacrilege. But that
plea will be as nothing. Death is the })unishnient for slay-
iuLT a cat; and the one vou have slain haviiiijr been chosen to
succeed the cat of iJubastes, is of all others the one most
sacred. The question is, what is to be done? You nuist tly

M!i:

1 f

■at instantly, tliough 1 fear that flight will be vain; for
as soon as the news is known it will spread from one end of
Egypt to the other, and every man's hand will be against you,
and even by this time the discovery may have been made."

"That will hardly be, father; for Amuba has buried the
cat among the bushes, and has left the door of the house
open so that it may be supjjosed for a time that it has
Wijideretl away. He proposed to me to Hy with him at
on( e; for he declares that he is determined to share my fate
i< uce we were both concerned in the attempt to kill the
liiwk. But in that of course he is wrong; for it is I, not he,
who has done this thing."

"Amuba has done rightly," Ameres said. "We have at
least time to reflect."

"But I do not want to fly, father. Of wh it good will life be
to me with this awful sin upon my head ? 1 wonder that you
sufler me to remani a moment in your presei.ce — that you do
not cast me out as a wretch who has mortally ofi'ended the

gods.

Ameres waved his hand impatiently.

" That is not troubling me now, Chebron. 1 do not view
thiniirs in the same wav as most men, and should it be that
you have to fly for your life I will tell you more ; suffice for
you that I do not blame you, still less regard you with hor-
ror The great thing for us to think of at present is as to the

(

b<'

.-('

djj

c>i1

1 times be

n, we must
r tone tlian
link. It is
.11 accidtMit,
J3ut tliat
it for sl;iy-
1 chosen to
3 one most
)U must lly
•e vain; foi
one end of
L,^ainstyoii,
3n ma(le."
3urie(l the
the house
lat it lias
bh him at
e my fate
) kill the
I, not he,

e have at

nil life be

that you

at you do

nded the

not view
'> be that
ulhce for
vith bor-
as to the

" Ki:i:i' vv A p.RAVK iii:ai.t."

17.;

host stop"^ to ])e taken. Were you to fly now you mi;^'lit L:<'t
several days start, and mii^ht even ^et out of the count it
before an alarm was sjjread; but upon the other band ynur
(bsappearance would at on(;e be connected with that of tlu'
cat as soon as it became known that she is missin;/, whereas
it you stay here quietly it is possible that no one will con-
nect you in any way with the fact that the cat is gone.

''That something has happened to it will speedily })e
guessed, for a cat does not stray away far from the place
where it has been bred up; besides a cat of such a size and
aj>j)earance is remarkable, and were it anywhen^ in the
neighbourhood it would speedily be noticed. lUit now go
and join Amuba in your room, and remain there for tin;
morning as usual. I will give orders that your instructor
be told that you will not wan<-. him to-day, os you are n(»t
well. I will see you presently when I have thought the
matter fully out and determined what had best be done.
Keep up a brave heart, my boy; the danger may yet })ass over."

Chebron retired overwhelmed with surprise at the kind-
ness with which his father had s})oken to him, when he
had ex})ected that he would be so filled with horror at the
terrible act of sacrilege that he would not have suil'ered him
to remain in the house for a moment after the tale was told.
And yet he had seemed to think chieHy of the danger to his
life, and to be but little affected by what to ('hebron himself
was by far the most terrible part of the afl'air — the religious
aspect of the deed. On entering the room where he j)ur-
sued his studies he found Jethro as well as Amuba there.

"I am sorry for you, young master," Jethro said as he
r-ntered. "Of course to me the idea of any fuss ))eing made
over the accidental killing of a cat is ridiculous; but I know
how you view it, and the danger in which it has placed you.
I only came in here with Amuba to say that you can rely
upon me, and that if you decide on flight I am ready at once
to accompany you."

" Thanks, Jethro," Chebron replied. " Should I fly it will

17i

"iiK wii,i< NOT I)f;n(H'N(;k vou.

indeed be a comfort to have you witli me as well as Amubi,
who has alieiuly promised to '^o with uur, liut at present
nothing is determined. I Inive seen my fatlier and told him
everytiiinj^, and ho will decide for me."

"Then he will not denounce you," Amuba said. "I
thou^i^'ht tJKit he would not."

"No; -.iud lie has spoken so kindly that I am amazed.
It did not seem possible to nie that an Egyptian would
have heard of such a dreadful occurrence without feeliui;
horror and detestation of the jtcrson who <lid it, even were
ne his own son. Still more would one expect it from a man
wlio, like my father, is a high-priest to the gods."

" Vour father is a wise as well as a learned man," Jetliro
said; "and he knows that the ^ods cannot be alto^dthci
ollcndod at an afhiir for which fate and not the slayer is
responsible. The real slayer of the cat is the twig which
turned the arr(,w, and I do not see that you are any more
to blame, or anything like so much to blame, as is the hawk
at whom you shot."

This, however, was no consolation to Chebron, who threw
himself down on a couch in a state of complete prostration.
It seemed to him that even could this terrible thing be
hidden he must denounce himself and bear the penalty.
How could he exist with the knowledge that he was under
the ban of the gods? His life would b(? a curse rather than
a gift under such circumstances. Physically, Chebron was
not a coward, but he had not the toughness of mental fibii!
which enables some men to bear almost unmoved misfor-
tunes Avhich would crush others to the ground. As to the
comforting assurances of Amuba and Jethro they failed to
give him 'the slightest consolation. He loved Anuiba as
a brother, and in all other matters his opinion would have
weighed greatly with him; but Amuba knew nothing of the
gods of Egypt, and could not feel in the slightest the ter-
rible nature of the act of sacrilege, and therefore on this
))oint his opinion could have no weight.

(it

I'l

I |t() N(»r MKAN T(, KI.Y

1 1.)

as Aniuhi,
at presLMii
d told liiin

said.

n amazed,
ian won 1. 1
)ut feoliiii;
oven were
•0111 a man

n," Jctliro
altoi^ctlin
I slayer is
w'v^ wJiicli
any more
the hawk

■'ho til re w
ostration.
thin-' I.e
penalty,
i^as undei-
ther than
bron \\as
ntal fihie
il misfor-
Vs to the
failed to
niu])a as
lid have
ig of the
the ter-
! on this

"Jcthro," Aniuha said, "you told ino you were j^oing to
escort Mysa om; iia\ or other to the very top of the hills,
in order that sIk^ could tln'iice look down upon tlm whole
city. Put it into her hca-l to go this morning, or at least
persuade her to go into the city. If she goes into the
garden she will at once notice that the cat i.s lost; whereas,
if you can keep her away for the day it will give us so
much more time."

'* Hut if Amcivs dcciih^s that you had best tly, I might on
my return tinil that you ha\e both gone."

"Should he do >o, .Jethro, he will tell you the route we
have taken, and arrange for soiik; point at which you can
join us. He would certainly wish you to go with us, tor he
would know that your experience and strong arm would be
above all things neeilful."

"Then I will go at once," .letliro , greed. "There are two or
three excursions she has been wanting to make, and 1 think
I can promise that she shall go on one of them to-day. if
she says anything about wanting to go to see her pets befor •>
starting, I can say that you have both been there this morn-
ing and seen after them."

"I do not mean to lly," Chebron said, starting up, "unless
it be that my father commands me to <lo so. Kather a
thousand worlds I stay hero and meet my fate!"

Jethro would have spoken, but Amuba signed to him to
go at once, and crossing the room took Chebron's hand. It
was hot and feverish, and there was a patch of colour in his
cheek.

"Do not let us talk about it, L'hebron," ho said. "You
have put the matter in your fathers hands, and you maybe
sure that he will decide wisely; thenifore the burden is off
your shoulders for the present. You could have no bettc'r
counsellor in all Kgvpt, and the fact that he holds so liie;h
and sacred an office will add to the weight of Lis words. If
he believes that your crime against the gods is so great that
you have no hope of happiness in life, he will tell you so;

IMAGE EVALUATION
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iM 12.0

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Photographic

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23 WIST MAIN STKEET

WEBSTER, N.Y. MS80

(7'6) ,173-4503

17G

THE INTKKVIEW.

if he considers that, as it socms to mc, the gods cannot
resent an accident as tliey mii^ht do a crime against them
done wilfully, and that you may hope by a life of piety to
win their forgiveness, then he will hid you Hy.

" He is learned in the <leepest oi the mystories of your
relijjion, and will view maltors in a diflercnt lii'ht to that
in which they are looked at by the ignorant ral)ble. At
any rate, as the matter is in his hands, it is useless for you
to excite yourself. As far as i)ersonal danger goes, I am
willing to share it with you, to take half the fault of this
unfortunate accident, and to avow that as we were engaged
together in the act that led to it we are equally culpable of
the crime.

"Unfortunately, I cannot share your greater trouble —
your feeling of horror at what you regard as sacrilege; for
we Rebu hold the life of one animal no more sacred than
the life of another, and have no more hesitation in shootinL,
a cat than a deer. Surely your gods cannot be so powerful
in Egypt and impotent elsewhere; and yet if they are as
powerful, how is it that their vengeance has not fallen
upon other peoples who slay without hesitation the animals
so dear to themf

"That is what I have often wondert^d," Chebron said,
falling readily into the snare, for he and Amuba had had
many conversations on such subjects, and jmints were con-
stantly presenting themselves which he was unable to solve.

An hour latej, when a servant entered and told Chebron
and Amuba that Ameres wished to speak to them, the
former had recovered to some extent from the nervous
excitement under which he had first suffered. The two
lads bowed respectfully to the high-priest, and then stand-
ing submissively before him waited for him to address them.

" I have sent for you both," he said after a pause, " be-
cause it seems to me that, although Amuba was not himself
concerned in this sad business, it is probable that as he was
eu^-aged with you at the time the popular fury might not

A SUUrUISlNG STATKMKNT.

177

nicely discriminate between you." He paused as if ex-
pecting a reply, and Anuilia said quietly:

" That is what I have been saying to Chebron, my lord.
I consider myself fully as guilty as he is. It was a mere
accident that his arrow and not mine was turned asi<le from
the mark we aimed at, and I am ready to sliare his lot,
wliether you decide that the truth shall be published at
once, or whether we should attempt to tly."

Ameres bowed his head gravely, and then looked at his
son.

" I, father, although I am ready to yield my wishes to
your will, and to obey you in this as in all other matters,
would beseech you to allow me to denounce myself and
to bear my fate. I feel that 1 would intinitely rather die
than live with this terrible weight and guilt upon my
head."

" I expected as much of you, Chebron, and applaud your
decision," Ameres said gravely.

Chebron's face briglitened, while that of Anuiba fell.
Ameres, after a pause, went on :

" Did I think as you do, Chebron, that the accidental
killing of a cat is a deadly offence against the gods, I should
say denounce yourself at once, but I do not so consider it."

Chebron gazed at his fatlier as if he could scarce credit
his sense of hearing, while even Amuba look surprised.

"You have frequently asked m^^ questions, Cluibron, which
I liave either turned aside or refus(Ml to answer. It was,
indeed, from seeint; that you had inherited from me the
spirit of incpiiry, that I deemed it best that you should not
ascend to the highest order of the priesthood; for if so, the
knowledge you would acquire would render you, as it lias
rendered me, dissatisfied with the state of things around
you. Had it rot been for this most unfortunate accident I
should never have spoken to you further on the subject, but
i^j& it is I feel that it is my duty to tell you more.

I have had a hard struggle with myself, and have, since

( iH\ ) M

178

A REVELATION.

you loft me, thought over from every point of view wliat, I
ought to do. On tlie one liaiul, I sliould liave to tell you
things known only to an inner circle, things which wcro it
known 1 had whispered to anyone my life would be for-
feited. On the other hand, if 1 keep silent I should doom
you to a lite of misery. 1 have resolved to take the fornior
alternative. 1 may first tell you what you do not know,
that I have long been viewed with suspicion by those of
the higher priesthood who know my views, which are that
the knowledge we possess should not be conrined to our-
selves, but should be disseminated, at least, among that
class of educated Egyptians capable of appreciating it.

'* What I am altout to tell you is not, as a whole, fully
understood perhaps by any. It is the outcome of my own
reHections, founded upon the light thrown ui)on things by
the knowledge I have gained. You asked me one day, Cheb
ron, how we knew about the gods — how they first revealed
themselves, seeing that they are not things that belong to
the world? I replied to you at the time that these things
are mysteries — a convenient answer with which we close the
mouths of questioners.

" Listen now and I will tell you how religion first began
upon earth, not only in Egypt but in all lands. Man felt his
own powerlessness. Looking at the opeiations of nature —
the course of the heaveidy boilies, the issues of birth and life
and death — he conclude«l, \ud rightly, that there was a God
over all things, but this God was too mighty for his imagina-
tion to grasp.

'* He was everywhere and nowhere, he animated all tilings,
and yet was nowhere to be found; he gave fertility and he
caused famine, he gave life and he gave death, he u'ave liuht
and heat, he sent storms and tempests. He was too infinite
and too various for the untutored mind of the early man to
comprehend, and so they tried to appioach him piece-meal.
They worshipped him as the sun, tiie giver of heat and life
and fertility; they worshipped him as a destructive god,

THE CKOWril OF KKLir.lUXS.

179

they invoked his aid as a beneficent hcing, they ofTered
siicrifices to appeiise his wratli as a teml)le one. And so in
time they ciinie to regard all these attrilMit«;s of his — ail liis
sides and lii^hts under wiiich they viewed him— as l)ein<^
distinct and ditl'erent, and instead of all being the «|ualities
of one God as being eacii the quality or attribute of separate
gods.

" So there came to be a cjod of life and a cjod of death,
one who sends fertility and one who causes famine. All
sorts of inanimate objects were <lefined as possessing some
fancied attribute either for good or evil, and the one Almiglitv
(iod became hidden and lost in the crowd of minor dciti«'s.
In some nations the fanci(!s of man went one way, in another
another. The lower the intelligence of the people the lower
their gods. In some countries serpents are sacred, doubtless
i)ecause originally they were considered tD typify at once the
subtleness an<l the destructive power of a god. In others
trees are worshipped. There are peoples who make the sun
their god. Others the moon. Our forefathers in Kgy pt
being a wiser people than the savages around them, wor-
shipped the attrilmtes of gods under many diH'erent natiies.
First, eight great deities were chosen to typify the chief
characteristics of the Mighty One. Chnoumis, or Neuf,
typified the idea of the spirit of God — that spirit which per-
vades all creation. Ameura, the intellect of God. Osiris, the
gooilness of Gud. Ptah typified at once the working j)owe»-
and the truthfulness of God. Khem represents the produc-
tive power — the god who })resides over the multiplication of
all species : man, beast, fish, and vegetable — and so with
the rest of the great gods and of the minor divinities, which
are reckoned by the score.

" In time certain animals, birds, and other creatures, whose
qualities are considered to resemble one or other of the
deities, are in the first place regarded as typical of them, then
are held as sacred to them, then in some sort of way become
mixed up with the gods and to be held almost as the gods

Lso

THE con OF THK ISUAKLITFS.

themselves. This is, T think, tlie liistorv of the roH,L,'ions of all
countries. The hij^hcst intelii^encL's, the men of education
and learning, never (juitc lose sight of the original truths,
and r»'('ogni/e that the gods represent only the various attri-
butes of the one Ahnighty (Jod. The rest of the jiopuhition
lose sight of the truth, and really Nvorship as gods these
various creations, that are really hut types and shadows.

"It is perhaps necessary that it should he so. It is easier
for the grosser and more ignorant classes to worship things
that they can see and understand, to strive to please those
whose statues and tcnii>les they behold, to fear to draw
upon themselves the vengeance of those represented to them
as destructive poweis, than to worshij>an inconceivable (lod,
without form or shape, so mighty the imagination cannot
picture him, so beneficent, so all-providing, so ecpiablo and
serene, that the human mind cannot grasp even a notion of
him. Man is material, and must worship the material in a
form in which he thinks he can comprehend it, and so he
creat(;s gods for himself with figures, likenesses, passions,
and feelings like those of the many animals he sees around
him.

" The Israelite maid whom we brought hither, and with
whom I have frequently conversed, tells me that her people
before coming to this land worshipped but one God like
unto him of whom I have told you, save that they belittled
him by deeming that he was their own special God, caring
for them above all peoples of the earth; but in all other
resj)ects ho corresponded with the Almighty One whom we
who have gained glimpses of the truth which existed ere the
Pantheon of Egypt came into existence, worship in our
hearts, and it seems to me as if this little handful of men
who came to Egypt hundreds of years ago were the only
l)eople in the world who kept the worship of the one God
clear and undefiled."

Chebron and Amuba listened in awe-struck silence to the
words of the high-priest. Amuba's face lit up with pleasure

I '

THK Tl.UE NATUKE OK THE UUOS.

1^1

arul entliusiastn as lie listened to words which seemed to
clear away all the doiihts and difticiilties that had heeii in
his mind. To Chehron the revelation, thou.Ljh a joyful one,
came as a great shock. His mind, too, had long been un-
satistied. He had wondered and (juestioned, hut the «le.struc-
tion at one blow of all the teachings of his youth, of ail he
had held sacred, came at first as a terrible shock. Ncitlu-r
«;|»()ke when the priest concluded, and after a pause he re-
suiih'd.

" You will understand, Chcbron, that what I have told you
is not in its entirety held even by the most enlightened,
an<l that the sketch I have given you of the formation of all
religions is, in fact, the idea which I myself have formed as
the result of all I have learned, both as one initiated in all
the learning of the ancient Egyptians and from my own
studies both of our oldest records and the traditions of all
the peoples with whom Kgvpt has come in contact. Ihit that
all our gods merely rej)resent attributes of the one dtuty,
and have no personal existence as represented in our temples,
is acknowledged more or less completely by all those most
deeply initiated in the mysteries of our religion.

"When we otler sacritices we oiler them not to the imaiics
behind our altar, but to God the creator, (Jod the preserver,
Clod the fertilizer, to God the ruler, to God the omnipotent
over good and evil. Thus, you see, there is no mockery in
our services, although to us they bear an inner meaning not
understood by othcis. They worshii) a personality endoWLMl
with principle ; we the jtrinciple itself. They see in the
mystic tigure the representation of a deity; we see in it the
type of an attribute of a higher deity.

"You may think that in telling you all this I have toM
you things which should be told only to those whose privilege
it is to have learned the inner mysteries of their religion,
that, maybe, I am untrue to my vows. These, lads, are
matters for my own conscience. Personally, I have long been
impressed with the conviction that it were better that the

182

CHEUKON RELIEVKD FU(JM HIS r.l'KDKN.

circles of initiates should he very widely oxteiided, and that
all capahlo hy ♦Mlucation and intellect of ai>|)reciatin;^ the
mightiness of the truth should no loniccr ho left in darkness.
1 hav(* heen overruled, antl should never have spoken had
not this accident taken place; hut when I se^; that the whole
happiness of your life is at stak(\ that sli(»id<l th(! se(;rct ever
he discovered you will either he put to death despairing and
hopeless, or have to fly and live despairing and ho[)eless in
some foreign country, I have considered that the halanco of
duty lay on the side of lightening your mind hy a revela-
tion of what was within my own. And it is not, as 1 have told
you, 80 much the outcome of the teaching I have received as
of my own studies and a conviction I have arrived at as to
the nature of (iod. Thus, then, my son, you can lay asi«le
the horror which you have felt at the thought tiiat hy the
accidental slaying of a cat you ollended the gods heyond for-
giveness. The cat is hut typical of the (jualities attrihuted
to l^asto. Baste herself is hut typical of one of the (jualities
of the One God."

"Oh, my father!" Chebron exclaimed, throwing himself
on his knees beside Ameres and kissing his hand, " how
good you are. What a weight have you lifted from my
mind. What a wonderful future have you opi'Ued to me it'
I escape the danger that threatens me now. If I have to die
I can do so like one who f(!ars not th(i future after death. If
I live I shall no longer be oppressed with the doubts and
difliculties which have so long weighed upon mv.. Though till
now you have given me no glimpse of the great truth, I havf
at times felt not only that the answers you gave me failed to
satisfy me, but it seemed to me also that you yourself with
all your learning and wisdom were yet unable to set me right
in these matters as you di<l in all others upon which I
questioned you. My father, you have given me life, and
more than life — you have given me a [)Ower over fate. I am
ready now to fly, should you think it best, or to remain here
and risk whatever may happen."

Tin: FINAL L»i;( ISIUN.

hsj

"I do not tliink you r1iou1«1 fly, Cluibioti. In the first
place, tli,t,'lit wouM ho an ackin»\vl('(l;,-iue!it of guilt; in the
s(!Con<l, 1 <lo not 80(5 wlicn; you could fly. 'i'o-niorrow,
;it latest, tlio fact that the creature i.s niissinj; will he dis-
(OvcHid, aritl as soon as it was known that you had j^'one a
hot pursuit would he set up. If you went straight <lown U>
the sea you would prohahly he overtaken lonj^ hefore you
1,'ot there; and even did you reach a j>ort hefore your pur-
suers you niiglit have to wait «lays hefore a ship sailed.

"Then ai^ain, did you hide in any secluded nei^hhourhooil,
you would surely he found sooner or hit«:r, for the news will
uo from (!nd to end of Ki^^ypt, and it will he everyone's duty
to search for and denounce you. Messengers would he sent
to all countries under Egyptian government, and even if you
jjasscd our frontiers hy land or sea your peril would he as
us great as it is here. Lastly, did you surmount all theso
dilliculfies, and reach some land heyond the sway of Kgypt,
you woidd l>e an exile for life. Therefore I say that llight
is your last resource, to he undertaken only if a«liscovery is
made; hut we may hojje that no evil fortune will lead the
sean;hers to the conclusion that the cat was kille<l here.

*'\Vhen it is missed there will he search high and low
in which every one will join. When the conclusion is at
last arrived at that it luas irrecoverahly disappeared, all
sorts of hypothesis will he started to account for it, some will
think that it ])rohahly wandered to the hills and became
the prey of hyenas or otiu'r wild beasts; some will assert
that it has been killed and hidden away; others that it
has made its way down to the Nile and has been carried
ofF by a crocodile. Thus there is no reason why suspicion
should fall upon you more than upon others, but you will
have to play your part carefully."

184

"IT IS WUNDKUFULl'

CIIAPTKR XL

DANGERS THICKEN.

WHEN Chebron and Amnl)a returned to the room set
aj)art for their use and study their conv«'rsution «lid
not turn upon the slayinj^ of the cut or the dan,L,'er which
tlircatencd thcin, but u|)on the wonderful revelation that
Ameres had made. Neither of them tliou,^ht for a moment
of doubting his words. Their feehn,g of reverence for his
wisdom and hiarnin;^ would have l)een suflicient in itself for
them to accept without a (piestion any statemerjt that lie
made to them, liut there was in addition their own inward
conviction of tlie truth of his theory. It apixaled at once
to their heads an<l hearts. Jt sutisHed :dl tlu-'ir lorij^iiij; and
annihilated their doubts and difliculties; cleared away at
once the pantheon of strange and fantastic figures that had
been a source of doubting amusement to Amuba, of bewil-
derment to Chebron.

"The Israelite maid Uuth was right, then," Amuba said.
" Vou know that she told us that her forefathers who catne
down into Egypt believed that there was one ( Jod only, and
that all the others were fals(! go«ls. She said that he could not
l)e seen or pictured; that he was (Jod of all the heavens, and
so infinite ihat the mind of man could form no idea of him.
Everything she said of him seems to be true, except inas-
much as she said he cared more for her ancestors than for
other men; but of course each nation and people would
think that."

" It is wonderful," Chebron replied as he paced restlessly
up and down the room. " Now that I know the truth it
seems impossible I could have really believcMl that all the
strange images of our temples really represented gods. It
worried me to think of them. I could not see how thiv

I'AL'CIS Ih MiSSlMi.

loj

room Rf!t
ition (lid
T whicli
ion that
niomont
B for his
itsolf for
that Ik;
I inwunl
Jit ^)Ui^^i
^'i'M,' ami
away at
bliat had
)f hewil

>ba said,
lio came
nly, and
i>ul(l not
3ns, and
of him.
I>t inas-
han for
would

stlessly
ruth it
all the
Is. ]t
V thcv

could be, and yet I never (louhted their existcno»\ It sfcma
to uui now that all the pi-oplo of K;^'y|>t are livini; in a sort of
iii^'htmare. Why do those who know so much .sutler tlusm
to remain in such darkn<!ss?"

'*! unfler.stood your father to say, Chebron, that h«" him-
self is only in favour of the more enlii,'litened and «du«'atrd
|)(i>{)le obtaining a i^limpse of the truth. I think 1 can
umlorstand that. Were all the lower class informed that the
L'ods they worshipped were merely shadows of a i^reat (Jod
and not real living deities, they would either fall upon ami
rend those who told them so as impious liars, or, if they
could be made to beli(!ve it, they would no longer hold to
any religion, and in their rage might tear down the temples,
abolish the order of priesthood altogether, spread tumult
ami havoc through the land, rebel against all authority,
destroy with one blow all the power and glory of Kgypt."

"That is true," Chebron .sai»l thoughtfully. "No doubt
the ignorant mass of the people refpiire something mat<'rial
t(» worship. They need to believe in go<is who will punish
impiety and wrong and reward well-doing; and the religion
of Kgypt, as they believe it, i?» better suited to their daily
wants than the worship of a deity so mighty and great and
•4ood that their intellect would fail altogether to grasp
iiirn."

Their conversation was suddenly interrui)ted by the
entrance of lluth.

"Paucis is missing. When we rame back from our walk
we went out to the animals, and the door of the house is
open and the cat has gone. Mysa says will yon come at
once and help look for it. I was to send all the women
wlio can be s{)ared from the hou.se to join in the .search."

Work was instantly abandoned, for all knew that Paucis
had been chosen to be the sacred cat at Puliastes; but ev(!n
had it been one of the others the news that it was missing
Would have caused a general excitement. So esteemed were
even the most common animals of the cat tribe that, if a cat

186

THE .SKAUCU llEUUN.

liappcncd to die in a 1iour(% the inha))itai)t8 \vcnt into
mourning and shavod their eyebrows in toiuMi of their grief;
the eiiiltuhnors were sent for, the drad eat made into a
niunnny, and conveyed witii niiicli solemnity to the great
cataeonihs set a.side for the hurial of tiie sacred animals.
'i'huH tlie news that I'aucis was missing was so important
that work was at once laid aside and tlie men and female
slaves hegan to search the garden thoroughly, examining
every hush and tree, and calling loudly to the missing
animal. Chebron and Amuba joined in the search as
actively as the rest

"Where can it he?" Mysa exclaimed. "Why should it
iiavo wandered away'? It never did so before, though the
<loor of the cat-house is often left open all day. Where do
you think it can have gone to? Do you think it could
have got over the wall?"

"It could get over the wall easily enough," Chebron
replied.

"It is a terrible misfortune!" continued Mysa with tears
in her eyes. "Mamma fainted on hearing the news, and her
women are burning feathers under her nose and slapping
her hands and sprinkling water on her face. Whatever will
be done if it does not come back before to-morrow, for I
hear a solemn procession is coming from Bubastes to fetch
it away? Poor dear Paucis! And it seemed so contented
and happy, and it had everything it could want! What
can have induced her to wander away?"

"Cats are often uncertain things," Amuba said. "They are
not like dogs, who are always ready to follow their masters,
and who will lie down for liours, ready to start out when-
ever called upon."

"Yes, but Paucis was not a common cat, Amuba. It
did not want to catch mice and binls for a living. It had
everything it could possibly want — cushions to lie on, and
fresh water and milk to drink, and plenty of everything
to eat"

"1 KKI.T liul;iniJLY tSUiUY."

1S7

cnt into
it'ir grief;
e into a
the great

animals,
mportant
(1 female
xaminin<'

missin<;
search as

should it

riugh the

Vhero do

it could

Chebron

ith tears
, and her
slapping
ever will
>w, for I
to fetch
)ntented
What

rhey are
uiasters,
t when-

ba It

It had

on, and

rything

"But even all that will not satisfy cats when the instinct
to wander conu's upon them," Amulni sjiiil.

Amcres himself soon came out of the house, and, upon
lu'Jiring that the cat was not to he found either in the gar-
den or within, gave orders for the whole of the males of the
household to sally out in the search, to inform all the neigh-
hours what hud happened, and to pray them t(» n(!ar('h their
gardens. They were also to make every in(juiries of all they
met w'lether they had seen a cat resemhiiiig I'uuc^is.

"This is a very serious matter," Amcres said. "After
the choice of the priests of Kul)astes had lixed upon I'aucis
to he the sacred cat of the temple of Ihihastes, the greatest
rare and caution should have been exercise«l respecting an
animal towards whom all the eyes of Egypt were turned.
For t!io last two or three weeks the question as to which
cat was to succeed to the post of honour has been discussed
in every household. Great has been the excitement among
all the families possessing cats that had the smallest clianct^
whatever of being selected; and what will bo said if the
cat is not forthcoming when the procession arrives to-
morrow from Bubastes to conduct her there, I tremble to
think of. The excitement and stir will be prodigious, and
the matter will become of state importance. Well, do not
stand here, but go at once and join in the search."

"I felt horribly guilty when talking to Mysa," Chebron
said. " Of course she is very proud that Paucis was chos(?n
for the temple, but I know that she has really been grieving
over the aj)proacl?ing loss of her favourite. But of course
that was nothing to what she will feel when she finds thai
no news whatever can be obtained of the creature; and it
was hard to play the part and to pretend to know nothing
about it, when all the time one knew it was lying dead and
buried in the garden."

"Yes, I t'elt that myself," Amuba agreed, "but we cannot
help it. Mysa will probably in the course of her life have
very much more serious grief to bear than the loss of a cat."

188

NO NEWS OF FAUCIS.

^B'

■mm.

jMpPWy

-mnf

IP^ '^HBi'

■P^^ ' '"'''^M'

R|H

kC^'^i'v % .'^liiW^SI

■

1^:

i. !

All day the search was maintained, and when it was dark
threat, numbers of men witli torclies searched every jmint fur
and near on that side of Tliebes. The news had now spreal
far and wide, and numbers of the friends of the higli-priest
idled to inciuire into the jiarticulars of the loss and to con-

dole with him on tlie cahunity which liad befallen his house.
Innumerable theories were broached as to the course the
animal would have taken after once getting out of the gar-
den, while the chances of its recovery were eagerly dis-
cussed. The general oj>inion was that it would speedily
be found. A cat of such remarkable appearance must, it
was argued, attract notice wherever it went; and even if
it did not return of its own accord, as was generally ex-
pected, it was considered certain that it would be brought
back before many hours.

But when upon the following morning it was found tliat
it had not retu'Tcd and that all seai'ch for it ha«l been
fruitless, there was a feeling akin to consternation. For the
first time men ventured to hint that something must have
l)efallen the sacred cat. Either in its rambles some evil dog
must have fallen upon it and slain it, or it must have
been carried oil' by a crocodile as it quenched its thirst at
a pool. That it had fallen by the hand of man no one
even suggested. No Egyptian would be capable of an act
of such sacrilege. The idea was too monstrous to entertain
for a moment.

Mysa had cried herself to sleep, and broke forth in fresh
lamentation when U])on waking in the morning she heard
that her favourite was still absent; while her mother took
the calamity so seriously to heart that she kept her bed.
The slaves went about silently and spoke with bated breath,
as if a death had taken place in the house. Anieres and
Chebron were both anxious and disturbed, knowing that
the excitement would grow every hour; while Amuba and
.lethro, joining busily in the search and starting on horse-
back the first thing in the morning to make inquiries in

THE POPULAR VIEW.

189

was dark

l^oint far

liow spreal

nigh-])riest

liid to coh-

his house.

course tlh>

^f the gjir-

,'erly dis-

s])eedil3-
e must, it
id even if
lerally ex-
»e bi'ouglit

ound tliat

liad hecii

For tlie

bust have

le evil dou

nust have

8 thirst at

m no one

of an act

entertain

h in fresh
she heard
ther took
her bed.
d breath,
leres and
ing that
luba and
)n horse-
iiiries in

more distant localities, were secretly amused at the fuss and
excitement which was l)eing made over tlie loss of a cat.

It was well for the household of Amercs that lie occupied
so exalted a })Osition in the priesthood. Had he been a
private citizen, the excitement, which increased hour by hour
when the vigilant search carried on far and wide for the
missing cat proved fruitless, would speedily have led to an
outbreak of popular fury. But the respect due to the high
jiriest of Osiris, his position, his well-known learning and
benevolence rendered it impossible for the supposition to
be entertained for a moment that the cat could have come
to an untimely end within the limit of his house or garden,
but it was now generally believed that, after wandering
away, as even the best conducted of cats will do at times,
it had fallen a victim to some savage beast or had been
tlevoured by a crocodile.

So heavy was the penalty for the oflTence, so tremendous
tne sacrilege in killing a cat, that such an act was almost
unknown in Egypt, and but few instances are reconled of
its having taken place. As in the present case the enormity
of the act would be vastly increased by the size and beauty
of the cat, and the fact that it had been cho. jn for tlie temple
of Bubastes, this seemed to put it altogether beyond the
range of possibility that the creature ha<l fallen by the
hands of man. When a week passed without tidings it was
generally accepted as a fact that tho cat must be dead, and
Ameres and his household in accordance with the custom
shaved their eyebrows in token of mourning.

Although not suspected of having had anything to do
with the loss of the cat the event nevertheless threw a sort of
cloud over the household of Ameres. It was considered to
be such a terrible stroke of ill-luck that a cat, and above all
such a cat should have been lost upon the very eve of her
V)eing installed as the most sacred animal in the temple of
Bubastes, that it seems as if it nmst be a direct proof of the
anger of the gods, a.td there was a general shrinking on the

1'^

100

TIIK DANCKI! IFIICKKNS.

])!irt of tlieir friends ami acrniaintanros from intercourse
witli i»eo|)lo upon whom such a misfortune liad fallen.
Amercs cared little for i)uhiic opinion, and continued on
his way with placid calmness, nw.iistering in the temple
and p.is Miii the rest of his time in study.

The example of Ameies, however, was wholly lost upon
his wife. The deference paid to her as the wife of the hiuh-
priest, and also to herself as the principal figure in the services
in wiiich women took }»art, was very dear to her, and she
felt the chang(! greatly. Her slaves had a very had time of it,
and she worried Ameres with constant complaints as to the
changed demeanour of her acquaintances and his indiflference
to the fact that they were no longer asked to entertain
ments; nor was she in any way paciHed by his «|ui('t
assurances that it was useless for them to irritate tlien»-
selves over trides, and that matters would mend themselves
in time.

But as the days went on, so far from mending things
became worse, groups of people frequently assend)led round
the house, and shouts of anger and hatred were raised when
any of the occupants entered or left. Even when Ameies
was passing through the streets in procession with the
sacred emblems hoots and cries were raised among the
crowd. Chebron took this state of things greatly to heart,
and more than once he implored his father to allow him to
declare the truth openly and bear the consequences.

" I am not afraid of death, father. Have you not trained
me to regard life as of no account 1 Do we not in our feasts
always see the image of a dead man carried past to remind
us that death is always among us? You have Mysa and
my mother. I fear death far less than this constant anxiety
that is hanging over us."

But Ameres would not hear of the sacrifice.

" I do not j)retend that there is no danger, Chebron. I
thought at first that the matter would soon pass over, but
I own that I was wrong. The unfortunate fact that the

"A GENERAL KUIN WUULI) FALL UI'ON IS.'

intercourse

liad fallen.

nntinued on

the ternj)l('

y lost upon
of the iiii;h-
the service's
ler, and slie
d time of ir,
it.s as to tlic
indifference

entertain
y his <|ui('i
•itate thenj-

themselves

ding things
iibled round
raised when
len Anieies
n with the
among the
ly to heart,
How him to
ces.
not trained

1 our feasts
to remind
Mysa and

mt anxiety

hebron. I
3 over, but
t that the

creature was chosen as sacred rat for the tcni|»le at Buhastes
has given its lo.ss a iironiinence f.ir heyon<l that which tliere
would have been had it been an oidinary animal of its class,
and the affair has made an extr.iordinarv sensation in the
city. Still I cannot but think tliat an enemy nnist be at
work stirring U|> the people against me. I suspect, although
I may be wrong, that Ptyhis is concerned in the matter.
Since he reappeared after his sudden al)sence following the
night when you overheard that conversation, he h»s atlected
a feeling of warmth and friendship which I believe have
been entirely feigned.

" Whether he was one of those you overheard I am un-
able to say, but his sudden disappearance certainly favours
that idea. At any rate, he can have no real reason for any
extra cordiality towaids me at present, but would more
naturally still feel aggrieved at my rejection of his son as a
husband for Mysa. I thought at first when you told me
what you had overheard that possibly it was a plot against
my lifa. Now I feel sure of it.

" No doubt they believe, as no measures were taken, that
their conversation was not overheard or that only a few
words reached the listeners, and his manner to me is de-
signed to allay any suspicion I might have conceived had as
much of the conversation as was overheard been reported to
me. It has had just the op})osite effect. At any rate, an
enemy is at work, and even were you to sacrifice yourself
by admitting that you slew the missing animal, not only
would your death be the result but a general ruin would
fall u])on us.

" The mob would easily be taught to believe that I must
to a great extent be responsible; the opinions I have ex-
pressed would be (juoted against me, and even the favour of
the king could not maintain me in my present position in
defiance of popular clamour. No, my son, we must stand or
fall altogether. Jethro oliered yesterday if I liked to dig uj)
the remains of the cat, carry it away and hide it under some

192

AMEKES AND JETllliO.

rocks at a distance, but I think the clangor would he greater
tlian ii. allowing inattors to remain as they are. It is certain
that the house is watched. As you know, servants going in
and out after nightfall have been rudely hustled and thrown
down. Some have been beaten, and returned well nigh
strijtped to the skin. 1 douht not that these attacks were
made in order to discovei- if they had anything concealed
under their garments. Were Jethro to venture upon such
an attempt he might either be attacked and the cat found
upon him, or he might be followed and the jdace where he
hid it marked down. Things must go on as they are."

Ameres did not tell Chebron the whole of the conversation
he had had with Jethro. After declining his offer to en
deavour to dispose of the body of the cat elsewhere he said:

"But, Jethro, although 1 cannot accept this perilous
enterprise you have offered to undertake, I will entrust you
with a charge that will show yon how I confide in your
devotion to my family. Should this storm burst, should the
populace of this town once become thoroughly imbued with
the idea that the sacred cat has been slain here, there will
be an outburst of fanatical rage which will for the tinie
carry all before it.

" For myself I care absolutely nothing. I am perfectly
willing to die as soon as my time comes. I have done my
work to the best of my power, and can meet the Mighty
One with uplifted head. I have wronged no man, and have
laboured all my life for the good of the people. I have
never spared myself, and am ready for my rest; but I would
fain save Chebron and Mysa from harm. Even in their
wrath the populace will not injure the women, Imt Mysu
without a protector might fall into evil hands. As to her,
however, I can do nothing; but Chebron I would save. If
he grows up he will, 1 think, do good in the world. He
has not the strength and vigour of Amuba, but he is not
behind other lads of his age. He has been well educated.
His mind is active and his heart good. I look to you,

WIUTIIKR CUULD THEY FLY?"

lya

Jethro, to save him if it be possible with Amuba, for I fedr
tliat Amuba is in as much danger as he is.

"Should the slaves bo seized an<I questioned, and perhaps
Hogged, till they say what t hey know, the fact would bo sure
to come out that the two lads were together among the
animals on the morning before the cat was missed. It will
he noticed, too, that they took with tliem their bows and
arrows. It will therefore be assumed that the responsibility
of the act lies upon both of them. Chobron, I know, would
proclaim the truth if he ha<l an opportunity for 8[)eech, but
an angry crowd does not stop to listen, and the same fate
will befall them both.

" You who are a stra.iger to our manners can hardly con-
ceive the frenzy of excitement and rage in which the popu-
lation of Egypt are thrown by the killing of a cat. I doubt
wliether even the king's person would be held sacred were
tlie guilt of such an otrence brought home to him; and, of
course, the fact that this unfortunate beast was to have gone
to the temple of Bubastes makes its death a matter ten
times graver than ordinary. Therefore, should the storm
burst, there is no hope for either of them but in flight.
Tiie question is, whither could they liy?

"Certainly they would be safe nowhere in Egypt. Nor,
were it possible that they could journey north and reach
the sea, could they do so before the news reached tlic ports.
Naturally messengers would be sent to the frontier towns,
and even the governors of the provinces lying east of the
(ireat Sea would hear of it; an<l could they leave the
country and cross the desert they might be seized and sent
back on their arrival. For the same reason the routes from
here to the ports on the Arabian Sea are closed to them.
It seems to me that their only hope of safety lies in reaching
the country far up the Nile and gaining Meroe, over whose
people the authority of Egypt is but a shadow, thence
possibly they might some day reach the Arabian Sea, cross
that and pass up through the country east of the Cheat Sea,

( 4S1 ) N

194

JETlIRu'S rUOMISE.

and travelling by the route hy which you ramo hither roac li
your country. Long before they could leuvo the savage
tribes and start upon their journey this matter would lia\(!
been for-'otten, and whatever (landers niii^ht befall them
that of arrest for particii)ation in this matter would not be
among them.

"I know that your fidelity and friendsliip for the son of
your late king would cause you to risk all dangers and hard-
ships for his sake, and that if bravery and prudence could
take him safely through such terrible dangers as would be
encountered in such a journey as I speak of, you will conduct
him through them. I ask you to let Chcbron share yoiu'
protection, and to render him such service as you will give
to Amuba."

"I can promise that willingly, my lord," Jethro answered.
" He has treated Amuba moie as a brother than a servant
^since we came here, and I will treat him as if ho were a
brother to Amuba now that danger threatens. The journey
you speak of would, indeed, be a long and dangerous our;
but I agree with you that oidy by accomplishing it is there
even a chance of escape."

" Then I commit my son to your charge, Jethro, and 1
do so with full confidence that if it be possible for him t<»
make this journey in safety he will do so. I have already
placed in the hands of Chigron, the embalmer, a large sum
of money. You can trust him absolutely. It is through
my patronage that he has risen from being a small worker
to be the master of one of the largest businesses in Kgyi>t,
and he has the embalmiuLr of all the sacred animals beloniiiiiLT
to our temple, and several others. He will hide the boys
for a time until you are ready to start on your journey.

"When you are once a few days south of Thebes you will
be fairly safe from pursuit, for they will never think of
looking for you in that direction, but will make sure that
you will attempt to leave the country either by sea, by the
Eastern Desert, or that you may possibly try to reach some

MVSA.S FtTLIir-

IJ")

of tlio tribes in tlio west, and so to go down upon the
(Irciit Sea there. I tlioiiglit at first that this might ho tho
l)est direction; but the tril)cs are all subject to us, and
would naturally regard Egyptians going among them a-s
fugitives from justice, and so hand them over to us."

'* You can rely ui)on me, my lord, to carry out your
directions and do all that is possible to serve tho two la<U.
What the country through which we have to pass is like, or
its iidiabitants, 1 know not, but at least we will do our l)e.st
to reach the Arabian Sea as you direct. Amuba is hardy
and strong, and Che))ron, though less powerful in frame, is
courageous, and able to use his weapons. Wo should, of
course, travel in disguise. Hut you spoke something about
your daughter — in what way can I serve her] I have now
accompanied her in her walks for months, and would lay
down my life for her."

" I fear that you can do nothing," Ameres said after a
pause. " W^e have many friends, one of whom will doubtless
receive her. At first I would, if it were possible, that sho
should go to some relatives of mine who live at Amyla, fifty
miles up the river. She was staying with them two years
ago and will know the house; but I do not see how you
could take her— the boys will be suflicient charge on your
hands. She will have her mother with her, and though I
fear that the latter has little real atH'ction for her, having
110 time to think of aught but her own pleasure ami amuse-
ment, she will be aide to place her among the many friends
.'-he has.

*' It is not her present so much I am thinking of as her
future. I sliould like my little Mysa to marry happil}'.
She is a little self-willed, and has been indulged; and
although, of course, she would marry as I arrange for her,
I would not give her to anyone who was not altogether
agreeable to her. I fear that should anything happen to
me the same consideration might not bo paid to her inclina-
tions. However, Jethro, I see no manner in which you can

U)G

"TIIK rKolMJ-: AUK ALWAYS VUKIA

.' ^

:: f

he useful to Mysa. So fur aa 'lo is conc-crnc'<l thiii;^s mu4
bo left to t;ike tli<!ir own course."

" I trust," Jetliro said, "that your forebodings will not lie
verified. I caninit )>eli<^v(! that an absurd sus)»i<;ion cmi
draw away tin; iniarts of tlu; people from one whom they
have so res[K!cted as yourself."

A meres shook his head.

"The people are always fickle, Jcthro, an<l easily led;
and their love and nispoct for the gods renders it easy foi-
anyone who works on that feeling to lash them into fury.
All else is as nothing in their eyes in conipaiison with their
religion. It is blind worshi[), if you will; but it is a sinccn;
one. Of all the [)eoj»le in the world there arc none to whom
religion -^'ounts so much as to the Kgyptains. It is inter
woven with all their daily life, 'i'heir feasts and processions
are all religious, they eat and drink and clothe themselvjjs
according to its decrees, and undertake no action, however
trifling, without consulting the gods. Thus, therefore, while
in all other res[)ects oixMlience is paid to the law, they aie
maddened by any s»ippose«l insult to thtiir religion, or any
breach of its observances. I know that we are in dangcir.
The ideas that I have held of the regeneration of the pcjople
by purifying their religious beliefs have b<;en used as wea
pons against me. I know frnm what has come to my ears
that it has been hinted among them, that in spite of my
high office I have no nispect for the gods.

"The accusation is fals(;, but none the less dani'erous for
that. Nothing is njorc difficult than to expose or annihilate
a falsehood. It spreads like wild-fire, and the clearest
demonstration of its falsity fails to reach a tithe of those
who believe it. However, it is needless to speak of it now.
You know what I wish you to do if danger comes — get the
boys away, and conduct thein to the ])lace I have indicated.
If they are from home seek them and take them there.
Do not waste time in vain attempts to succour me. If yon
are attacked, an«l this may possildy be the case, make, 1

I CANNOT KKAVE MY DLTIhX

107

liiM''s niii>t

pray you, no rosistiiiice save sucli aa may he nocMled to get
away. Above all, do not try to interfere on my behalf.
One man, tlioii^'h endowed with supernatural strength, can-
not overcome a moh, and your trying to aid ine v.ould not
benefit me, and mi,^!it cost you your life, aiul so deprive
Cliebron and Amul^i of tli»;ir protector."

Jethro i)romised strictly to follow the instructions lio had
K.'CL-ive'l, and to <b'vote Vimself in case of need solely to
jiisiu'inL,' the .safc.'ty (»f the boys.

Two days latrr, AnmKJs sent Chcbron and Aniuba away
to the farm, and told them to remain there until he sent
for them.

" Vou cannot go in and out here without unpleasantness,"
he said, " and ha«l best be away. Your presence here can
l)(.' of no use, and 30U are probably fjuite as much .suspected
as I am. As to your mother and sister, the present state of
iliin^s is inconvenient to them, ))Ut that is all. There can
be no danger for them; however violent a mob they would
not molest females."

" Why shouhl not you also, father, go away until the
trouble is passed?"

"I cannot leave my duties, ClH'])ron; nor would it benefit
mo if I did. I am convinced that this cry against us is a
ni(;re pretext which has been seized by -'"mies who dare
not attack me openly. Werii I to depart om Thebes my
absence would l>e denounced as a proof of my guilt, and
tin; |)eople be inflamed more and more against me, and
nowhere in Kgypt should I be safe. My only course is to
face the storm, trusting to the integrity of my life, to the
absence of any deed which could offend the great Ood I
liflieve in, and to the knowledge that my life is in his hands.
When it is his will, and not before, it will return to him
who gave it me."

"Could you not apply to the king for guards]"

"The king spokf; to me yesterday at the termination of
the council," An»eres replied, "and told me that he had

11)8

LAST AbVICK.

)>cen informed of the rimrniurH of the poinilace aj^aiiist nw,
llo said that as one of IiIh most trusted comiselloiH, and as
a hi^'h priest of Osiris, ho know that tlie c}iar;,'es against iiu:
were h.iseless; but that in view of the ]»r<»iionesiS of tin-
jieople of Thelxis to (jxciten^ient and tumult, lie rIkuiM h*-
ghid to order a company of sohjiors to kfjep guard ov(!r niy
house. I refused. 1 said that I was conscious of no evil,
that none couM say tiiat 1 was slack in my ministrations
in the temple, or that 1 had ever spok(!n a word in disre-
spect of our religion. That as for tlnj disapjMjarancc of the
sacred cat, of which ko nnich had lusen made, I had liad
no hand in it, and that whatever had happened to it had
Ixien, I was sure, the result of accident. Were I to have
soldiers placed to guard me it would he a confession that
I was conscious of ill-doing, and knew that I had forfeited
the protection of the gods. It would, too, help to keep up
the talk and excitement, which 1 trusted would die away
ere lo!ig."

Chehron did not tliink of further questioning the orders
of Ameres, and an liour later he and Amuha rode out to
the farm. l>efore they started Ameres had a long talk with
Chebron, and told him that ho had ])laccd him in charge
of Jethro, in the event of any popular outbreak taking
place.

" Remember, Chebron," he said, " that whatever comes of
this affair you are not to blame yourself for the accident of
killing the cat. All things are in the hands of the great
Ciod, and your arrow would not have struck the twig and
flown straight to the heart of that creature had it not been
his will. Moreover, you must always remember that the loss
of this cat is but a i)rctext for the tumult.

" The populace believe that they are angry on account of
the loss of the sacred cat, whereas, in fact, they are but in-
struments in the hands of my enemies. I have no doubt
whatever now that the plot you overheard in the temple
was directed against my life, and had not the loss of the

IJ:AVIN(J I'Oll JIIK FAK.M.

II) J

(iit li!i|»|»(!tH'(l opportinifly aii'l M'.ivcA tlicrii as a lever
witli vliicli to work iiLTiiinsL nic, tlic plot wouM liavn taken
soiiM' otlirr form. I trust siiicert^ly that wliatevrr fate may
Ix'fall your Ki'stor slio may iicvcsr have to marry tin; son of
tli(! man nvIio lias |iloltc<i a;;aiiist my jif*;. j'.ut it is no use
tiiiiikiiii^' of that now. SlioiiM uuu'Iit lia]t|>cn hcfore wo
m<'<!t a;.iain, n'mcmbcr I liav»- jilacc'i yoii in tlio hands of
.h'tliro, all'! Iiavi! «lf'c;^atr(l my authority to him. lie is
►:lii't;wtl, hhoiiii, anil coiuairfous, anij <an lie relii-d upon to
do what is hcst. In Ainiilia yon will find a fri«*n<l who will
he as a hrttthcr to yon. So taiewtdl, my son, and may the
^'leat One who rides all thiM'i-^ ivccp yon!"

A stay at tli(j farm had hiilnrLo heen n';^'arderl ]»y Chehron
as a delightful change from the city, hut upon this occasion
111' proceedcil there .sad ami de)>ressed in spirit.

" I'iVen Ijore we are watched, you see, (Jhehron," Amnba
said as th y rode alon;,'. " I)oyou see those runners behind
u- / I)oui^tlcss they will follow us to the farm, and set a
watch upon us there. However, there, at least, they can
search as much as they like, and find out nothing."

CHAPTER XII.

THE DE.VTII OF AMFUIES.

rnPIE days passed slowly at the faiTn. The lads went
JL out listlessly to watch the cattle treading in the seed
and tlie other operations on the land.s, but they were too
anxious as to what was going on in the city to feel the
slightest interest in the work of the farm. The second and
fourth days after their conjing, .lethro had paid them a
short visit to say that there was no change in the situation.
The officer in command of some troops whom the king had

200

JKTINKJ'S KKI'OltT.

H(>i)t <l(>\vti t«» within a sliort «listaiirn of tho Iious(> luul conw;
tlowii t») the iiiol) lis tlicy wtTo Hlumtin:^ outsitlo thn ^Mtr,
ami tliivateiuMl thcni witli tlio sevjuo «lis|»lca.siir(3 of tin-
kiiij]; uiilesa thry tlesistcd from tlieir deinoiistrations, l)ut
li:i<l boon answcRMl with shouts, "The ^(uU aro ahovo all
kinirs, and not even kinj^s can protect those who insult
them." Anu'iise, lie said, on the occasion of In's second
visit, liad left the lu)US(5 and taken up licr aliodo witii some
relations in tho city, declarin*; that the anxiety and dis
grace were killini; her. She had wished to take Mysa with
her, but tho girl had positively refused to leave her father;
and as her mother seemed indilVerent whether she went or
stayed sho had had her way. In u private talk with Aniuha,
Jethro said :

"It is a relief to us all that .she has gone; sho was bad
enough before you went, but for tho last three days sho has
been doing nothing but weep and bewail herself till the
liouse has been well nigh unbearable. Ameres goes l)ack-
ward and forward between his house and tho temple, walk-
ing unmoved through those gathered near his door, who arc
for the most part <|uiet when he passes, beiiig abaslied by the
j)resence of ojie who has so long been held in high esteem
amojig them. As for Mysa she seems to think only of her
father. The Hebrew girl is a great comfort to her, for
while tho example of their mistress and tho shouts of the
]>opulace have terribly scared tho other maids, and they go
about the house in fear and trembling, liuth is (piiet and
self-contained as if she were again in her quiet cottage with
her grandfather. She greatly comforts and sustains Mysa,
and Ameres said to me only this morning that Mysa was
fortunate indeed, in that Chebron had furnished her with
so brave and steadfast a companion at a time like this."

On the evening of the fifth day Jethro came suddenly in
at the house. The boys started to their feet as he entered,
for they saw at once that something terrible liad hai)pened.
His face was stained with blood, his breath came short, for

TKkKlllLK NKWM.

201

lit- Ii:iil run for tlu; six intiMvcnirn; miles bt'twcoii tlio furiu
uml tlio fity :it tlio top of liis spiMMi.

-'C^)iii(;k, my lonll " )io Hiiid, "tlioru i^ not a inoiii«<nt to
losn. Tho wliolo iMtittcr 1ms been tliscovcrcil, unci cro loiiy
tlii'V will 1)0 licro ill imrsiiit of you."

" WiiJit of my fiitlierl" (-'Ih'Imom exclaimed.

"I will tell you all about it aft «m wards, Clusbron. Then;
U iio time for talking now, iiis orders must l»o iiistaiiLiy
(•airi('(l out. Where uro the fellows who ure si>yiiig over
v..u("

*'()iio of them is probably seated outsido at tho entrance
to \]u) farm. Vou must have passed hiiu as you entenid,"
Aiiiuba re[)lied. *' I jiave not seen more than one ut a time
cilice they lirst came."

"Take up your arms and follow mo," Jetliro said, takini;
a heavy statV from the corner of tho room, and, followed by
the huls, he went outside the j^ate.

It was now i^^ottin*^ (hirk, and as thoy ])aRsed out a man
standing; near apjjroached as if to see who they W(fre. With-
out a word .lethro sprang forward and brought down tho
stair with tremendous force upon his head, and he fell with-
out a cry upon the road.

"There is no fear of his giving tho alarm," Jethro said
grimly, and set oil" in a run in the direction of the city at a
pace that taxe«l the jiowers of Chcbron to keep up with.
Once or twice as ho ran tho boy gas])ed out a rpiestion as to
his father's safety, but Jethro did not appear to liear him
but kept on at a steady pace.

Presently ho stoj)ped su(Menly and listeiicil. A vague
confused sound M'as heanl in front of them, and Jethro
(piittcd the road and took his cotirso over the fields.
Amuba heard the sound increase, and was presently con-
scious that a crowd of people were passing along the road.

•' It is well I managed to get through," Jethro said. " They
would have made short work of you both had they arrived
at the farm and found you unprepared."

202

CIIICKON, TIIH KMl!AI.Mi:it.

Jotliio (lid not rctimi to ili'-. ro.'iil hut kfjpt on in an
obliqiKj liTKj touaids tlio foot of the liilis TH^ar the city.

*' Whore iiva you ^oiu;^, .JcLliro< " Aniuljii asked at last.

"I am goiii'^ to (Jiiii^Ton, the eirii)tilrner. Anieres has
arran.qed with him to hide you there for the |)r(:8ent."

Tiie hoys knew tlie [>Iace, for tliey had more than once
f)een there to watch the process of emhalrniri^ tho bodies
and i)rej)aritiL' th(;m f(w Ijuiial. It was an extensive estah-
lisliment, for (Jiii,L,M'on was one of the most celebrated cm-
halmers of the (lay; and not ordy did lie eiidalm but he
k(!pt with him in'^n wlio performed the furtiier processes
required, namely, the wrapjiini,' nj) in the mummy cloths,
and the consti'uction of the ;,'rcat cases and the placing the
bodies in them ready to b(; handed over to their friends.
'i'hese were usually distinct and separate trades, the embalm-
ers generally returrn'ng tlnj bodies to the friends after they
had cfimplete.d the process of embalming. Arifjther set of
men then pnijtared the corjtse foi' burial, while the mummy-
cases or sarcophii-gi were i)repared by men of another trade.
Of the thiee trad(!S that of the . inbalmers was held in by
far the highest resjiect, the, work heing consid(;red as sacred
an<l the embalmers raid<ing and associating with the
j)riests.

In Chigron'a establishment the men of the three trades
worked ajjart and separate from each other; and, although
^'higron was in fact at the head of all, he jiersonally super-
intended ordy the embalming, the men of the other trades
being directed by their own masters, anrl it was as if the
thi-ee establishments had been placed near each other simply
for the pur[>ose of convenience.

When they reached the house of Chigron Jethro went
forward alone and knockf^d at the door. An attendant pre-
sented himself. "CJive this ring to Chigron," dethro said,
"and say that the bearer of it would fain Kpt;ak to him
here."

In two or three minutes ChigrtJi^j himself came out.

" i<Mji,s ANiJ mai>.mi:n!"

2c:}

"I liavc l)r(<iiL:liL Llic lud.s liiflicr in (jljtdieticc to tlio jr<it'r
of Aiii<-;n;s," .Ictliro Huid. *' il(; told iiit; that hu had arrango«l
tlie matter witli von."

"And Arneres liiniself?" (Jliiirron ankfid,

" Ho is no inoro," Jetliro said. "'J'Ik; villains \vlio fion^ht
his ruin have trinnij>h''d, aiid a ftirious riiol) this aft,<*i:noon
hioko into liis honso and innidciod him. (Jh(jl>ron docs not
know it yet, thou;/;!! Ik; cannot hnt snsjxift that something'
fcrrihlo has liajtjxinod, as I would not hv.uwca- his fjUfjstions
ff-arin;^ that ho might hrcak (hjvvn wiicn ins strength wan
most needed."

The Kgy[)tian uttered an fixclamaf ion of sorrow.

"Fools and madmen!" he exelairm-d, "in all the land
none W(!re more worthy of honour than A meres, lie was
just and generous, ever ready to Ijefriend those who needed
liis aid, calm in judgment, and powerful iii council. Surely
the gods must l>e angry witli Kgypt when they sufl^ired sucli
a one to fall a victim to the piissions of the m<jh. I!ut where
are the lads] I myself will conduct them to the place 1
have alnjady prej)ared. The Wf>rk<',rs have all left, so there
is no fear in passing through the house."

At .Jethro's call the lads came up.

"Follow me, my lord," Chigron said to ('hehron, "I have
Ih'ul everything in readiness for your n;ception for some
days. Would that your visit had heen made on some more
cheerful occasion."

The embalmer led the way through the pf>rtion of the
house occupied by himself, then he entererl a large apart-
ment whose floor was coveied with saw -dust.

Here on slabs of stone lay a nurrd)er of bodies of those in
the first state of preparation, while in a still lai-ger apart-
ment behind were a number of stone baths each long enough
to contain a body. These were occu[<ied by the corpses
which had undergone their fiist state of jjreparation, and
which were now lying coveretl with a strong solution of salt
and water. Beyond again were other chamhcrs for the

204

A PLACE OF COXCEALMKNT.

reception of boilics embalmed by other processes than that
of salt.

Passing through a door at the rear the lads found them-
selves in the open air again. Above them the hill rose in a
precipitous rock. Chigron led the way along the foot of
tliis for some little distance, and then stopped at a portal
hewn in the rock itself. All this time he had carried a
lighted lamp, although the chambers in which the dead were
l3ing was illuminated with lamps hanging from the ceiling.
Upon entering the portal and closing the door behind him
he produced from a niche in the wall several other lamps,
lighted them, and gave one to each of his companions.

"This," ho said, "was cut by a wealthy inhabitant of
Thebes centuries ago as a tomb for himself and his family.
What happened to him I know not, but the place was never
used beyond this chamber, which has been utilized for mum-
mies of sacred animals. Beyond in the main chamljer every-
thing is as it was left by those who formed it. There I have
during the last ten days piivately stored up such articles as
would be necessary for you, and I trust that you will not
find yourself uncomfortable."

Upon entering the apartment, which was some twenty feet
square, they found that the embalmer had not exaggerated
what he had done. A table with several settles stood in the
middle, three couches piled with rushes were placed against
the wall. Mats had been laid down to cover the floor and give
warmth to the feet, and lamps ready for burning stood upon
the table. In a corner stood two jars of wine, with drinking
vessels.

" All is here except food," Chigron said. " That I could
not prepare until I knew you were coming; but be assured
that you shall be served regularly. There is no fear of
intrusion from any employed in the establishment. They
have no occasion to come out to the back of the house, and
probably few know of the existence of tins tomb. Should
I have any ground for believing that there is danger, I

"MY DEAR FATlHTv IS No MoKK?"

•JOfj

will take other measures for your conccnlmcnt. SliouM
you need anytliing, do not hesitate to say so. I owe my
position to tlie i)atronage of my lord Anieres, and there
is notiiing I would not do to ensure the safety of his son.
And now, my lord, I will retire, and will presently send
} oil by a trusty servant the food of which I have no doubt
tiiat you stand in need."

Chebron said a few v*^ords in thanks, but he was too
anxious and full of grief to say more. Directly Chigron
had left he turned to Jethro.

" Now, Jethro, tell me all ; I am ])repared for the worst.
My dear father is no more? Is it not so]"

"It is too true, Chebron," Jethro replied. "Your noble
father has been killed ^^y a base and cowardly mob urged on
by some villains of the priesthood."

Chebron threw himself down on one of the couches and
wept bitterly, while Amuba was almost as deeply attected,
for Ameres had behaved to him with the kindness of a
father. It was not until the following morning that Chebron
was sufficiently recovered to ask Jethro to relate to him the
details of his father's death.

"I was in the garden," Jethro began. " Mysa and Ruth
were in a boat on the pond, and I was towing them when I
heard a tumult at the gate. I pulled the boat asliore, and
hurried them up to the house ami told Mysa to retire to her
apartment, and that she was not to leave it whatever noise
she might hear, that being her father's command. Then I
went out to the gate. Just as I got there it fell in, and a
crowd of people rushed through. As there were only myself
and two or three of the gardiniers who had run up we could
do nothing to stop them. .lust as they reached the house
your father came out into the portico and said, 'Cood people,
what will you have?*

"Those in front of him were silent a moment, abashed by
his presence and the calm manner in which he spoke, but
others behind set up the cry ' Where is the sacred cat? We

206

THE SRARCII IN THE GARDEN.

.V?

will find it!' wliile others again shouted out 'Down with the
impious jH'iest!' Ameres replied, 'You can search the plare
if you will; though, indeed, it seems that you need not my
permission, seeing that you have taken the matter into your
own hands. Only I pray you enter not the house. There
are the ladies of my family and other women there, and I
swear to you that neither alive nor dead is the cat to he
found there.'

"The cry was raised, 'Let us search the garden!' In all
this it struck me that there were two parties among the moh
— the one ignorant and bigoted, believing really that an
offence had been committed against their gods; the otlu-i',
men who kept in the background, but who were the moviiiic
spiiits. I was not pleased when I saw the crowd so readily
abandon the idea of searching the house and scatter them-
selves over the garden, for it seemed to me that from one of
the gardeners or others they might have obtained some soit
of clue that might put them on the road to discovery. I saw
that several among the crowd had with them dogs trained
for the chase, and this made me more uneasy. I told one of
the men to run at once and sunmion the troops, and then
followed the crowd.

" I was the more uneasy to see that without wasting time
in searching elsewhere they made straight to the inclosure
where the animals were kept. No sooner did they get there
tlian they began to search, urging on the dogs to assist them.
Suddenly I started, for there was a touch upon my shoulder,
and looking round I saw Ameres. ' Kemember my instruc-
tions, Jethro,' he said in a quiet voice; 'I commit Chebron
to your charge.'

"'Oh, my lord!' I exclaimed, 'why are ycu here? The
troops are but a short distance away. Why do you not
place yourself under their protection?'

"'Because I have done no wrong, Jethro,' he replied
calmly. 'I have not otiended the gods, nor have I ever
wionged one of my countrymen. Why should I Hy?'

TIN-: ML:I{I)I:11 of AiMKIlKS.

207

"At this moment tlicre was a yell of rage among the
crowd, and I knew that one of those accursed hounds must
have smelt the dead cat and sciatched the earth from over
it. Then I heard a voice cry uhove the rest, *See! even now
the wounds are manifest; it has been })ierced by an arrow,
even as I told you. The sacred cat has been slain!' Then
the crowd turned. 'Fly, Jethro,' Aniercs said. 'It is my last
cuuunand.'

" But even then I couM not obey him. There was death
in the eyes of those who were rushing towards him shouting
'Down with the despiser of the gods! Down with the slayer
of the sacred cat!' and seeing that, I rushed at them. After
that all was confusion. I had caught up a start' from the por-
tico as I passed, and with it I struck right and left. Many fell,
I know, before they closed with me. Blows were showered
upon me, and the staff then fell from my hands, but I fought
with my naked fists. Several times I was beaten down, but
each time I rose again. Then, as in a dream, I seemed to
hear your father's command, ' I commit Chebron to your
care,' and I burst my way through them and threw myself
upon a group standing further on, but I saw as I broke
through them that I could do nothing there.

" Your father lay on the ground looking as calm and
peaceful as when ho had spoken to me but five minutes
before; but his white garments were stained with blood, and
the haft of a dagger stootl uj) just over his heart. There was
no time to see more. His last commandment was to be
obeyed, and shaking off those who tried to hold me, and
evading the blows aimed at me with their knives, I fled. As
I rushed out through the gate I saw the troops I had sent
for coming towards the house. But they were too late now;
besides, some of my pursuers were close behind me, and so
without a pause I took the road to the farm. I think that is
all I have to tell you."

Chebron was weeping bitterly, and Amuba, who was him-
self deeply affected, went over to him.

2!)S

NAIJ(J11T ELSK IS TAl.KKD AI'.OUT.

"Console yourself, Cliebron. I know what you are feeling
now, but do not blame yourself too greatly for this calamity.
You know what your father said — that it was but an acci-
dent, and that it was doubtless the will of the great God that
your arrow should fly as it did; and he himself declared that
he believed tiiat all this was but the result of conspiracy, and
that, as we heard in the temple, there were men determined
to take his life."

A few minutes later the embalmer entered bringing them
food. He saw at once that Chebron had been informed of
the fate that had befallen his father.

"Have you heard aught of what is passing in the city?"
Aniuba asked him.

"Yes," Chigron answered; "naught else is talked about.
Many of those concerned in the deed escaped either by tlio
entrance before the soldiers arrived there, or over the walls;
but many \Kere seized, and are now in prison for their sacri-
legious deed in raising their hand against the person of tlu;
liigh-priest of Osiris. There weie tumults in the city during
the night, many maintaining that the deed was well done,
others the contrary.

"Those who had been taken all declared that they had
been informed by one who said he know it for certain that
the cat was buried in the inclosure, and that it had been slain
by you and my young lord here, as you had been seen going
with your bow and arrows to the inclcsiire and were there
for some time, after which the cat was never seen again. The
general opinion is that though the prisoners taken will be
punished — some with Hogging, some with death — your lives
are also assuredly foifeited, and that even the friendshii)
of the king for your father would not avail to jtrotect you,
for that he like others must obey the law, and that the law
of Egypt is that whosoever shall take the life of a cat shall
be slain."

"I am perfectly willing to die," Chebron said; "and my
greatest regret now is that I did not follow my first imjMiise

FAITHFUL TO HIS TRUST.

209

and (lenounco mysolf as tlio accidental killer of the cat. No
blame could iiavu then been attaclied to my father or to any
but myself."

" The disgrace would have fallen upon your whole family,"
the embalmer said; "for those nearly related to one who
performed an impious action must needs sutler with him.
Not that I blame you, Chebron; for 1 know tliat your father
• lid not do so. Ho told me when he arranged that I should,
if needs be, furnish you with a hiding-place, that although
you might need a refuge it would be for no fault of your own.
I do not understand how he could have said so, seeing the
terrible guilt of even accidently taking the life of a cat, and
specially of this cat, which was sacred above all others in the
land. Still T know your father's wisdom e(pialltMl his good-
ness; and although I own that I cannot understand his
saying, I am content to accept it, and will do all in my
])ower to save you. Doubtless the search after you will bo
a hot one, but we must hope for the best."

"I will go out and see what is doing," Jethro said. "It
may be that it will be more safe to move away at once than
to remain here."

"In that case," the embalmer said, "you will need to be
disguised before you start. It is known that Anuues had
two fair-skinned slaves, and that one of them was concerned
with my young lord here in the matter; also that the other,
after lighting furiously in the garden, and, as 1 heard, slay-
ing several of his master's enemies, managed to make his
escape. Fortunately I have the materials at hand. We use
paints and stains in abtmdance for the sere clothes of the
(load and the decorations of their coflins, and I can easily
make you as dark as any of our peopl(\ That, with one of
my wigs and Kgyptian garments, will alter you so that, so
long as you do not look anyone fairly in the face, there will be
no fear whatever of your discovery; but you nuist not look
up, for even when I have blackened your lashes the lightness
of your eyes would at once betray you."

(481) O

210

THE VISIT OF THE SEARCHERS.

In half an hour Jcthro was transformed into a miMdle cla^a
citizen of Thebes, and started on his mission of in(|uirv.
During tlio (hiy some ofiicials came to tlie establishment ami
made many imiuiries after the missing lads. Not contented
with denials, they went through the whole buildings, ex-
amining all the chambers closely.

"It is known," thoy said to Chigron, "that they several
times came here, and chat Amcrcs was a patron of yours. It
is our duty to search any house where slielter might have
been given them, though we can hardly believe that any
one would hold communication, far h^ss receive into his
house, persons guilty of such an act of sacrilege as tliey have
been. However, there is no chance of their escaping us.
Messages have been sent all over Egypt. Moreover, as they
had no horses they cannot have gone far. Yours is the first
house we have searched, for the servants all say the same —
that the son of Ameres was fretjuently here."

"He was not here very frequently," Chigron replied,
"though he certainly came sometimes, and was interested in
watching the various i)ro(:esses."

Chebron had, in fact, been several times to the embalmer's.
Amuba had accomi)anied him, although he himself would
have preferred staying away, for to him the whole scene was
repulsive. Chebron's temi)erament differed, however, widely
from that of his friend. The dead were sacred in Kgypt,
and all the rites and ceremonies connected with them bore a
religious character. They had no fear of death, and deemed
it but a sleep that would last three thousand years. It was
for this reason that the bodies of human beings and the
sacred animals were so carefully embalmed and laid away
either in massive tombs or rock-hewn caverns.

They believed, and as has been provetl rightly, that the re-
mains so carefully prepared, would endure for that time, and
thought that when the s[)irit returned to it it would resume
its former shape in all j)articulars. Thus the dead of all
ranks were embalmed; the process, however, in the case of

KMr.AI.MINO.

211

tlic wealthy (HlTering widely from tliat to whicli the ho licis of
tlu! poorer classes were suhmitted. There were many kinds
of euihalming, varying according to the means of the family
of the dect?asod. The process employed for the wealthy
was a long and expensive one. First, an olHcial called a
s( riho marked on the side of the corpse whore an aportiiio
should ho made; this was cut hy another person, who after
doing so tied, pursued with execrations and pelted with
stones, as although necessary the operation was considered
a dishonourahle one and as an injury to a sacred body.

Through this aperture the emhalmers removed the whole
of the internal organs, which, after being cleansed and em-
balmed in si)iccs, were deposited in four vases, which were
subsequently placed in the tomb with the coffins. Hach of
these vases contained the parts sacred to a separate deity.
The body was then filled with aromatic resin and spices, and
rubbed for thirty days with a mixture of the same in-
gredients. In the case of the very wealthy the whole body
was then gilt; in other cases only the face and portions of
the body. The skin of the mummy so preserved is found
to be of an olive colour, dry and flexible as if tanned;
the features are ])reserved and appear as during life, and
the teeth, hair of the head, and eyebrows are well pre-
served.

In some cases, instead of the aromatic resin, the bodies
were filled with bitumen; in others saltpetre was used, the
bodies being soaked in it for a long time and finally filled
with resin and bitumen. In the second quality of mummies,
those of persons of the middle class, the incision was not
nuide, but resin or bitumen was used and the bodies soaked
in salt for a long time. In the case of the poorer classes
the bodies were simply dipped into liquid pitch. None of
these, however, were treated in the establishment of Chigron,
who operated only upon the bodies of the wealthy.

After the preparation was complete the body passed from
the hands of the emhalmers into those of anotiier class who

TiiK TUiAi. or Tin: dkad.

(Miveloped it in its coveriii,L,'s. Tliosn \V(«r(* linen l>in(lri^'('«s,
wliicli in tlio case of tiio ricli were sonictiincs i\ th utsanl
yiirds in length. It was tlujn inclosed in a soit of ca^o
fitting closely to tlio mnniuiietl body. This case was riohly
j)aintcd, covered in front with a net-work of heads and
hnglos arranged in a tasteful form, the face heing overlaid
with thick gold-leaf and the eyes made of enamel. This
again was placed in other cases, sometimes three or four in
number, all similarly oinamt;ntcd with painting and gilding,
and the whole inclosed in a sarcoi»hagii3 or coflin of wood
or stone, profusely decorated with i)ainting and sculpture.
It was then handed over to the family of the decease<l, and
afterwards taken in solemn procession across the sacred lake,
followed by the mourning relatives throwing dust upon
their heads.

Every Egyptian city had a lake of this kind, either natural
or artificial. Notice was given beforehand to the judges and
public of the day on which the funeral would take place, and
thes« assembled at the side of the lake, where the decorated
boat in readiness for the passage was lying. IJefore the cofHn
could be placed upon the boat it was lawful for any person
present to bring forward his accusation against the deceased.
If it could be proved that he had led an evil life the judge
declared that the body was deprived of the aecustome<l
s«ipulture. If the accused failed to establish his charge he
was subject to the heaviest penalties. If there was no
accuser, or if the accusation was »iot i)roved the judge de-
clared the dead man innocent. The body was placed in the
boat and carried across the lake, and then either taken to
the family catacombs or to the room specially prepared for
its rece[)tioi n the house of the deceased.

The greatest grief and shame were felt by the family of
those deprived of the right of sepulture, for they believed
that thereby he was excluded from the mansions of the
blest, and that in the course of the transmigrations through
which his spirit would pass before it again returned to a

THE FUTL'UE MATH.

213

liuiiian form, it might bo coiulcmnetl to inhabit tho botly of
un unclu:iii iinimul.

As lumc from the lowest to tlie very lii^^hcst rank couKl
escape th(3 ordeal of public accusation after death, there
can bo little doubt that this ceremony exercised a most
wholesome otlect upon the life of thn H;^'yptians, and was
most clHcacious in rei)ressing tyranny, cruelty, and vice of
all kinds among them. Kven the most poweiful kings wtwe
n'straincid by the knowledge that should they give cause of
complaint to their subjects they were liable after death
to be accused and de[)rived of tho right of lying in the
nughty tombs they had so carefully [)reparod for their
reception.

Chei)ron'8 biain, therefore, while he was watching tho pro-
(•ess of embalming, was })usy with thoughts and fancies as to
the future of the spirit that luul inhabited tiio bod) he lookotl
at. Had it already passed into the body of some animal]
Was it still disconnected and searching for an uboile'/
Through Avhat changes wouM it jtass and how long would
be the time before it n^turned to this human tenemetit]
For the three thousand years was believed to be the
shortest period of transition through the various changes
in the case of the man of the purest and nwst blameless
life, while in other cases the i)eriod was vastly extended.

As Amuba was not gifted with a strong imagination, and
saw in the whole matter merely the preservation of a body
which ir. his op'nion had much better have been either
buried or placed on a funeral pile and destroyed by lire,
these visits to the embalmers had constituted the most un-
pleasant part of his duties as Chebron's companion.

Jethro had anticipated when ho left that his visit to the
city wouhl be of short duration, and that he should return
in an hour at the latest; but as the day passe(l and night
fell without his return the lads became exceedingly anxious
and feared that soinetliing serious had taken place to detain
him. Either his disguise had been detected and he li;ui

'JU

JETllKUh I'KULUNUKI) AIJSKNUE.

l»c«n seized by the populace, or some oLlmr great misfortune
must have befallen him.

It ha<l been arrani^ed indeed that they should that ni^ht
have started upon their journey, and .Jethro after his retiuii
was to have made out a list of such articles as he decnied
necessary for their Might, and these Chigron had promised
to purchase for him. Their plans, however, were completely
upset by his non-appearance, and late in the afternoon
Chigron himself went down into the city to ascertain, if
ho could, if Jethro had been discovered, for his name had
been associated with that of the hoys. It was not believed
indeed that he had taken any actual part in the slaying of
tiie cat, but it was deemed certain from his close connection
with them, and his disappearance shortly before the time
they had suddenly left the farm, that ho was in league with
them. Chigron returned with the news that so far as he
could learn nothing had been heard of Jethro.

No other sul)ject was talked of in the city but the event
of the previous day, and the indignation of the people was
equally divideil between the murderers of Anieres and the
slayers of the sacred cat. The boys were full of grief and
perplexity. To Amuba Jethro had taken the place of an
elder brother. He had cheered hin 'm the darkest moment
of his life and had been his fri(!nd and com})anion ever since,
and the thought that ill might have befallen him filled him
with sorrow. With this was mingled an intense anxiety as
to the future. Without Jethro's strong arm and advice how
was this terrible journey to be accomplished ]

Chebron was in no state either to act or plan. A deep
depression had seized upon him; he cared not whether he
escaped or not, and would indeed have hailed detection
and death as boons. Intense, therefore, was Amuba's relief
when late in the evening a footstep was heard in the outer
chamber, and Jethro entered. He sprang to his feet with a
cry of gladness.

" Oh, Jethro! thank the gods you have returned. I have

iMVsA HAS i;i:i:n caiiuiki) (ht.

■ I, H

2i;>

KUlleretl teni!)ly on your account. What Ims liappcnol to
you, anil so loii^' drliiyed your return horc?"

"TlitMo is ficbh tiouhlc," Jctliio replied in ;i stem voice.

"rrosli trouMo, .letliro? In what wjiv ? " And even
Chehrou, who had scarcely sat U[» lan^'uidly on his couch
on .Jetiiro's entrance, htoia'd up uitli some interest for
.letlu'o's answei'.

"Mysa has lict-n carried oil," luj replied L'riudy.

Chcliron spian^; to his feet. He was devoted to hia sister,
and for u nioinent, this new calamity ell'aced the renient-
lirance of those which had preceded it.

" MysH cariied oil!" he exclaimed at the satue moment a.s
Aniuhn. "Who has done it?— when was it done I - how
did you learn it I" were (questions which broke (juiclvly from
the lads.

"On leavini^ here I went as arran,L(cd down into the city,"
fh'thio replii'd. "There was no dilliculty in learning what
there was to learn, for all business seemed suspended and
the streets were full of groups of people talkiui; over the
events of yesterday. The whole city is shaken by the fact
that two such terrible acts of sacrilege as the slaying of the
sacred cat of IJubastes aiid the miu'der of a high piiest of
Osiris shouhl have taken ])lace within so short a time of
each other. All prophesy that some terrible calamity will
befall the land, and that the ofl'endcd gods will in some way
wreak their vengeance upon it. A royal order has been
issued enjoining all men to search for and arrest every
person concerned in the murder of Ameres, and doul)t!es.s
the severest penalties will be dealt to them. The same
decree orders your arrest wherever found, and enjoins upon
all officials throughout the kingdom to keep a strict watch
in the towns and villages, to examine any strangers who
may present themselves, and to send hither bound in chains
all young men who may fail to give u, satisfactory account
of themselves. Sacrifices will be ollcred u[) at all the tem{)le3
throughout the land to appease the wrath of the gods.

2I<)

A SEUIKS OF (JAI.AMIUKS.

McssrMigers have been despatched in all directions in the
jHovinces, and all seemed to consider it certain that in a
f(!\v \u>iuii our hiding-place would he discovered. All made
sure that we had made either for the sea-coast or the desert
on one side or the other, and as the messengers would reach
the coast long before we could do so, it was considered im-
possihle for us to get through unnoticed.

"Then 1 went to the house, not intending to go in hut
simply to see if those in the neighbourhood had heard any
further news. The gates were o[)en, and quite a crowd of
people w(;re passing in and out to gratify their curiosity by
gazing on the scenic, lielyiiig u|»on my disguise 1 went in
with the rest. None entcicd the liouse, for a guard of
soMiers had be«!n stationcMl thei'e, I j)asscd round at the
ba<;k and [tresently liyptis the old female slave came out to
ff.'tch water. I spoke to her in my assumed character, but
she only shook her head and made no reply. Then be-
lieving that she, lik(i all the others in the house, was at-
tached to tli(i family ami could be trusted, 1 spoke to her in
my natural voice;, and she at cmce knew me. I made a sign
to lier to be sihmt and withdrew with \\r.v alom; to some
bushes. The tears were streaming down h 'r face.

"'Oh, .b;thto!' she ex(.'laime<l, 'ilid the gods ever before
hurl such calamities upon a hoiiseihohn My d(\ir n)'»ster is
ilead; my loi'd, Chebron, is hunted for as men hunt for a
wild beast; my dear yonng mistress, Mysa, is mis-ing!'

"'Missing!' I exclaimed. 'What oo you mean?'

"'Have you not heard \tV she said.

"'1 have heard nothing!' I cried. 'Tell me all!'

"'.Just after the t^ateis were beaten down and the crowd
rushed along into t,he garden, four men burst into the house;
and ran from chamber to cliamlxjr until they entered that
of my young mistress. We heard a scream, and a moment
later they came out again Ixuiriug a figure enveloped in a
wiai)i)ing. We strove to stop them, but there wv.vc nought
l)iit, women in the house. Tln-y struck two of us to the

" IlL'TIl HAS «;UNE.'

2i7

f,Tound, and rushed out. Somo of us ran ou^ into the ganhMi
cryin.i^ for aid, but thore we saw a terrihlo sccum. A great
siiu^gle was going on, and })rc.sently you broke forth, covered
witli blood and wounds, and ran swiftly past. Xon, heeded
us or our cries.

"'Wiien the soldiers arrivod we told the officer what
had iiappened; but it was too late then, and nothing could
be done. Had there been a guard over the house all these
tilings would never have liappt'iK'il.'

"1 asked her if she could dc^scribo to iiie the appearance
of the men. She said that tliny were attired as respectable
citizens, but that from their language and m;inner slie be-
lieved that they were rutliaus of the lowest class.

" For a time I was so overwhelmed with this news that I
could tiiink of nothing, but went out and roamed thrcMigh
the streets. At last I betiiought me of the girl Ruth. She
was with Mysa at the time, and might, if (juestioned, be
able to tell me more than the old woman luul done. I
therefore returned, but had to wai': for three hours before
old Lyptis came out ngain.

"*I want to speak to Ruth,' 1 said. 'Send her out to me.*

"'Ruth has gone,' she said.

"'Gone!' I repeated. ' Where and whither]'

"'That wo know not. It was not until hours after Mysa
was carried off that anyone thought of her. We were too
overwhelmed with grief at the dcatli of our d(!ar lord and
the loss of Mysa to give a tlioiight to the young Israelite,
Then one asked, where was sIk;? No one had noticed her.
We went to Mysa's chamber, thinking that the villains who
carried our young mistress otf mi_'it have slain her; but
there were no signs of her there.'

'"But she was with Mysa, was she not,' I asked, 'when
the attack was made? Did she not pass in with her when
she came in from the garden]'

"'Yes,' she replieil, 'they came in together and pas-^ed
through u^j for we were gathered in the fiont chamber.

218

A MYSTEIUOUS DISAITEA RANGE.

being greatly frightened at the clamour at the gate. As
they passed us our young mistress said, 'Keep silent, what
is the use of screaming and crying?'"

" I asked if she was sur^ Kuth was not carried off as well
as Mysa.

" * Quito sure,' she said. *One bore a figure and the other
three cleared the way.'

" 'And that was the last time,' I asked, 'that any of you
saw the Israelite]'

" 'It was,' she answered. 'She must have passed out by
the door at the end of the passage, which she might well
have done without being observed l)y any of us.'

"This was a new mystery. Why Kuth should have fled
I could not guess, because as soon as the soldiers appeared
there was no more danger in remaining. Besides, I did not
think Ruth was one to shrink from danger. However, there
was n. more to be learned, and I again went out into the
streets."

CHA.PTER XIIL

THE SEARCH FOR MYSA.

PERHAPS Ruth had gone to tell my mother that Mysa
was lost,' Chebron suggested, when Jethro had gone so
far in his story.

"That could hardly have been," Jethro replied, "for I
should have told you that your mother returned early this
morning to the house with many relatives, and that all were
weeping and mourning round the body of your father. Had
Ruti gone to her, she would either have returned with her,
or Lyptis would have heard where she was."

"Did you hear how my mother bore her misfortunes,
Jethro?"

A CHANGE OK PLANS.

21S)

"She was overwhelmed with grief, Lyptis said, at yoiii
fatlicr's doath — so overwhehiied that she seemed to have no
thought for anytlniig else. She had, of course, been told
the nigh^ oefore that Mysa was missing; but it seemed to
make no in.pression upon lier. She only said that doubtless
friends had carried her oil" to save her from the danger that
(,'hebron's wickedness had brought U[)on us all. This morn-
ing she made some further iufjuiries, but did not seem in
any serious alarm; but the magistrates, wlien they came
last night to inquire into the whole mutter, took note of
iNlysa having been carried off, and when on their coming
again this morning they found that nothing liad been lieard
of her, gave orders that a search should be made for her,
and a proclamation was issued this afternoon denouncing
punishment on those who carried her off, and enjoiriing all
who could give any information on the subject to present
themselves before them immediately.

" Since I came out from the house I have been wandering
about trying to think what is best to be done, and hoping
that something might occur to me which would put me
upon the track of the villains who carried Mysa off."

"You do not think of carrying out our plans for to-mor-
row, Jethro?" Chebron asked anxiously. "\V«! could never
go away from here in ignorance of what had become of her."

"Certainly not, Chebron. I consider it my duty, as well
as my inclination, to ctay here until she is found. Your
father spoke to me of her as well as of you, but as he did
not see any way in which we could aid her he said that she
must take her chance — meaidng, take her chance under the
guardianship of your motiua" to obtain some day a husbaml
whom she could love. Bu. the present misfortune entirely
alters the case. She has need of our active help, and what-
ever are the risks we must postpone our stait.

"Whether you will be able to stay here or not is doubtful.
Each day that passes without news being received of your
capture in the provinces north of us, will increase the belief

•2 -JO

AMUDA'.S CONCLUhluNS.

Hi'

that you are hiding somewhere in tlie neighbourliood of ll
city, and in that case the search will become more and moii'
earnest. However, for a day or two we may he safe heii'.
As to that, however, we must abide by Chigron's opinion.
He is rumiing no small risk in concealing us here, and if he
considers the damper is beconiini: y;reatcr than he is williiiu'
to run, we must betake ourselves to the liills. There aic
lonely spots there where we could lie concealed for a lon^
time, or, at least, as long as such su[)plies of food and water
as we could carry with us hold out. IJut, at any rate, we
must set aside all thought of Hight for the present, and de-
vote all our energies to the discovery and rescue of Mysa."

"I do not think we have far to look for the contrivers of
the outrage," Amuba said. " It sticms to me that it is of
a piece with the whole of the misfortunes that have befallen
us. We know that Ameres refused the request of I'tylus
for Mysa as a wife for his son. After that came the jdot
which we overheard in the temple for the murder of some-
one. The knowledge that they were overheard put a stop
to that scheme. Then came the stirring up of the people,
partly by the story of that unfortunate cat, partly by whispers
that Ameres, although high-priest of Osiris, was yet a scorner
of the gods. Then came the attack upon the house, in which,
while the main body of the mob attacked Ameres, a chosen
band carried off Mysa.

"This villain, Ptylus, had several motives to spur hhi)
on. In the first place, there was anger at the rejection of
his son's suit; next, that he would, at the death of Ameres,
naturally succeed to the high-priesthood; thirdly, he may
have thought that if he could obtain possession of Mysa
and marry her to his son, she would bring with her no
small portion of her father's lands as a dowry. With the
intluence which he, as high-priest, would have with the king
and council he could rely ui)on her obtaining a share of the
estate, especially as the villain would calculate that Chebron
as well as his father would be put out of the way.

"IT MUST NOT r.F,, JlMIlItO'"

221

" lie has only to keop Mysa immnrod until his power as
high -priest is consolidated, and th.eti if he gain the consent
of the king to the match Mysa could not refuse to accept
the fate pre[)ared for her."

" I think that you have accurately reasoned out the case,
Ainuba, and that wc have penetrated the whole conspiracy.
The question is, what are we to do?"

"It must not be, Jethro!" Chchron cried excitedly, pacing
up and down the chamber. " Mysa cannot bear Plexo. She
spoke of him with something like horror when she heaid
of the proposal Ptylus made. I do not like him myself. He
is thin-lipped and crafty and cruel. Mysa had better be
dead than married to him."

"1 think I can promise you, Chebron," Jethro said grimly,
"that that marriage shall never come about. We may not
find Mysa, who may be hidden citlier in Ptylus's house, or
in one of the many chambers of the temple, or in the caves
near it; but, at any rate, I can find Plexo, and before we
leave Egypt I will slay him as well as his father, whom I
regard as the murderer of A meres. I may not be able to
do this and to get away, and in that case you must journey
alone; but 1 am not going to quit Kgypt and leave them to
enjoy the gains of their crime." As he finished speaking
Cliiiiron entered.

"I was coming in to see if Jethro had returned."

He was told the reasons for his prolonged absence — the
abduction of Mysa, and the determination to remain and
search for her place of concealment. He shook his head.

"It is a rash resolution. Even were you free to conn^
and go as you choose, your chance of finding out her hiding-
])lace would be small indeed — hunted as yon yourselves are,
your quest seems to be an absolutely hopeless one. As to
your remaining here long, I think it would be madness.

"It is not only for myself that I say this, but for you. In
the first place, there are so many men employed here that
your coming in and going out would be sure to be noticed l)y

222

CIIIOnON'S PLAN.

someone; in the second place, the cave "voiiM scarcel3'esca|>ft
search a second time. \Vjre it not for my workmen I couM
conceal you in the house; and if I saw men in search of you
approacliing I could place you in one of the inner casings of
the mummies, and put two or three more casings on. Tlicii,
lying as you would be among a number of corpses in a simi-
lar state of advancement towards burial, none would think
of opening the cases.

" But with so many people about it would be well-nigh
impossible to do this without observation — unless, indeed,
the search was made at night or after the workmen had
departed, which would hardly be likely to happen. There-
fore I think it impossible for you to stay here more than
another day or two ; but there are many caves and burial-
places higher up on the hill-side where you might be con-
cealed. In many of these there are sarcophagi. If wo
choose one in M'hich there are several coffins I can remove
the mummies and their casings into another cave, so that,
should a party of searchers ai)proach the place, you can lie
down in the sarcophagus and lower the lid down ui)oii
yon,"

"It would be sacrilege to move the dead," Chebron said
with a shudder.

" It would be sacrilege for others," Chigron replied, " but
not to us, whose business and duty it is to handle the dead.
I can rei)lace the mummies in their cases after you have
left, and they will be none the worse for their temporary
removal. It will be necessary, of course, that there should
be no signs of habitation in the cave — nothing to excite
their suspicions that it has been disturbed."

"I think that is a very good plan," Jethro said. "We
can make sleeping-places in the open air near. We shall
sleep in the open air on our journey, and it would be no
hardship to begin at once. I should think it best to remove
to one of these caves at once. There is never any saying
when the searchers may be here again; therefore if you will.

WIII'.UK IS RUTH?

223

cel3'csca|>o
len I coiiM
irch of you
casings of
on. Til oil,
I in a siiiii
3uld think

3 woll-niirli
ss, indeed,
kmen luiil
II. Thci'o-
more tlian
Lnd buiitil-
lit be con-
;i. If we
an remove
e, so that,
ou can lio
own ui)on

ebron said

lied, "but

the dead.

you have

temporary

ere should

to excite

id. "We
We shall
uld be no
to remove
luy saying
f you will,

Chigron, I will at oarly dayl)reak go with you, choose a
cave, and make our arrang(.'nients."

"I think, indeed, that that will be the best plan," the
embalmer agreed. " I will, of course, take care to bring
you up every night a store of provisions. And now I will
leave you to sleep."

It was long, however, before the ocrnpants of the chamber
threw themselves upon their piles of rushes. Sometimes
they talked of Mysa, and discussed all possible plans for
discovering where she was concealed. Then they wondered
what had become of Ruth, who would be friendless in the
great city, and might not have money sufficient to buy a
meal with her.

"She had her ornaments," Jethro said; "a silver bracelet
that Mysa gave her she always wore. She had two silver
necklaces and ear-rings of her own. I should think they had
been handed down to her from her mother; they seemed
good and vould fetch money. Kuth is a shrewd little maid;
ior though but fifteen years old she has long been accus-
tomed to manage a house and look after her grandfather.
Why she has run away I cannot think, except that perhaps
from the noise and tumult she thought that all were going
to be killed. But even in that case she would i)robably
have found her way back by this morning, if not sooner."

"I cannot lielp thinking myself," Chebron said, "that she
has followed Mysa. Although she has not been here for
many months, I am sure that she was very fond of her."

" That she certainly was," Jethro said. " I often thought
when I was walking behind them that it was pretty to see
them together. Mysa knew so much more of everything;
and yet it was the Hebrew maid who gave her opinion most
decidedly, and Mysa listened to her as she talked in that
grave way of hers as if she had been an elder sister. And
you think she might have followed lierl I hoi)e that ib
may have been so. But in that case the women must have
seen her."

224

A FPESII llIDlNCi-ri.ACE.

iHil

" The women wore scared out of their senses," Chehron
said, "and, I have no doubt, were screaming and wringing
tlioir hands and attending to nothing else. If I could but
be sure that Ruth is with Mysa I should feel less anxious,
for I am certain she would be a comfort and support to her."

"She would, indeed," Jethro agreed. "And moreover I
should have greater hopes of linding where they are con
cealed; for if it be possible to get away and to spread the
alarm I am sure that Kuth would seize the first opportunity
promj)tly."

It was but a short time after they lay down that Chigron
entered and said that morning was bcirinning to break.
'J'hey at once rose and followed him. He led them along
the foot of the hill for some distance, and then turning
began to ascend at a spot where it sloped gradually. They
l)assed many tombs, partly erected with masonry and partly
cut out from the rock behind; and it was not until after
walking fully half an hour that he stopped before the
entrance of one of them.

" This is the one that I thought of as being suitable for
the purpose," he said. "It is one of the most lonely, and
there is little likelihood of any chance passer coming near
it. In the second place, I know that the stone door wlii( h
rolls across the entrance has not been cemented in its place.
I know indeed to whom the tond) belongs. The last mummy
was placed here but a short time back ; and the son of the
man then buried told me that he should not have it cemented
because his wife was grievously sick, and he feared would
shortly follow his father. Therefore there will be no dilli-
culty in effecting an entry. In the second place, there is
hard by a small tomb that was cut in the rock and then
left — the owners changing their minds and having a larger
tomb made lower down the hill. As nothing beyond the
chamber and the narrow entrance were made, we can there hide
the mummies from this chamber and heap stones and earth
over the entrance, so that none would sus])ect its existence. '

IS," Chebron
id wrindiiij
I could but
CSS anxious,
)ort to lier."
moreover I
ley are con
> spread tlic
oi)portunity

hat Chigroii
i to break,
tliem along
len turning
ally. They
r and partly
until after
before the

suitable for
lonely, and
omincr near
door which
in its }>la('e.
ast niuniniy
! son of the
it cemented
ared would
be no dilli-
ce, there is
i and then
ng a larger
beyond the
n there hide
s and earth
existence."'

THE TOMB ON THE HILL.

■■"1

"Let us set to

■I

'r ,y

v^J-l

" Notliing could be better," Jctliro saiel.
work and prepare it at once."

The stone across the entrance to the tomb, whicli was but
three feet higli and of the same width, was pushed back
without diiliculty and they entered. Four wooden sarco-
phagi stood there. Jethro aided Chigion in opening three
of these. Tiie mummies in their cases were taken out, tlio
outer cases opened and rephiced in tlio cotlins after tlio
niumniies with the inner cases had been removed from
them. These were then carried to the unfinished tomb fifty
yards away and there de^iosited. Stones were then piled
together so as to conceal the entrance, and the men re-
turned to the tomb.

"Here you will be perfectly safe," Chigron said. "You can
keep the stone rolled back unless you see anyone approach-
ing; and you would be sure to make out any considerable
number of searchers mounting the hillside long Ixiforo they
reach you. Should you see them, you will of course close
the door, enter each of you one of the sarcophagi, lie down
in the inner case, close the lid of the sarcophagus, and place
the lid of the inner case over you. 1 think it unlikely in
the extreme that any search will be made for you, or at any
rate a search only of untenanted tombs. The fact of the
stone here being left uncemented is a mere accident pro-
bably known only to myself and its owner. It is only as
an extreme resource that you could need to take to these
hiding-places. As far as passers-by are concerncHl you might
remain outside altogether, but in that case you would run
some risk of being noticed. Yc a may be sure that the hills
will be closely scanned, and if figures were seen moving
about here a party might set out to see whether these were
the fugitives so eagerly sought for. Therefore I say, during
the daytime keep yourselves concealed here. As soon as
it is dark you can of course issue out and pass the ni"ht
wherever you may think fit."

"We shall certainly fullow your advice," Jethro said.

(4Sl) I'

•JJG "I WOULD IIAVK DONK MDllE IF I CUULD."

" TTnflonl)to(lly the plan you propose is by f;ir tlio R!if""^t.
T cannot think that tliere i.s miicli chan<'o of an «*avnL'st scai <li
being ma<le among the tombs, thougli likely enough they nuiy
visit tlioso wliich are open and emi)ty; but as you say, tliey
would never dream of examining the tombs in use, as they
would naturally su^jposo that all were securely fastened.
In case of the very worst, there are the collins for us to
betake ourselves to; and those, assuredly, no one wouhl
think of examining."

" If you will come down," Chigron said, "as soon as it is
dark, I will give you provisions for some days, together with
the peasants* dresses 1 have prepared for you and the money
Ameres committed to my charge. It is not likely that any-
thing will occur to decide you to make a move sutldenlv,
but it is ]>cst that you should have everything in readiness
for so doing should the occasion possibly arise. I will come
up myself t(t-morrow night, if all is well, an hour after sun-
set. 1 name the time exactly in onler that if you sleoj) at
any distance away you can be here at t'lat iiour to meet
me; and now I leave you to the prote(;tion of the gods.
This evening I shall dismantle the chamber you have used
and remove all signs of its having been iahabited."

Chebron thanked the eml)almer very earnestly for the
kindness he had shown them, tlie trouble he luul taken, ami
the risk he had run on their behalf.

" I wouM have done more if I could," Chigron said.
"Your father's son has the highest claiuis upon me, and were
it to half my fortune I would spend it to carry out the last
wishes that Ameres exi)ressed to mo."

As soon as the einbalmer left them the three friends sat
down just within the entrance to the tomb, looking out over
the quiet city lying in the plain l)elow tliem.

" I wish wo had our peasant dresses," Chebron said, " that
we might go down with you and join in the search for
Mysa."

"It would be too dangerous," Jethro said decidedly.

"niAT MAllLKS Nor AT AI.I.."

007

•'Too many have seen you takinj^ pnrt in the scrviccft and
jUO('t'.s.sii»n lor y»»u to liuvo a cliain'o ol passinj; untioti<'nl.
Aniul»u is less lilvoly tliun you to l)e il«'t<'(;ti;(l, an<l it' his skin
was stained, liis ('yel)ro\vs hlackiMUMl, and liis head sliavctl,
hi; mi_i;ht niana^i;o to pass providing ho walkod with Ids eyes
tixt'd on the ground; hut in tliat way ho wouhl nut liavo
iiuich chance of condni; upon traces of Mysa.

"Any searcli yon make mnst ho at ni;^ht. I shall to-day
statit)!! myself near the house of Ptylus. I do not expect
to gain any information from gazing at tlio high wall which
siHTounds it, but I will follow, as closely as I can without
attracting observation, all the slaves or servants who may
como out, especially if two issue forth together; 1 tnay then
catch a few words of their talk, and possiiiiy gather somo
clue to the mystery. Still I own that the chance is small,
and you must not lo>)k forward in any way to my retnining
with news."

"I wish, Jethro," Chebron said, "that if possible you
would again go to our house, see the old woman, antl get
her to bring out to you a suit of my priests' garments; with
these I could at night enter the temple, and wander un-
(juestioned through the chambers and courts. The nights
are dark now, and uidcss I pass close to a lamp none could
recognize me. We overheard one conversation of importance
there, and it may be that I could overhear another."

"There would bo danger in the atte'iipt," Jethro said
doubtfully.

" That matters not at all !" Chebron exclaimed impetuously,
" All this trouble has come upon us through me, and even
should there be some slight risk I would willingly face it;
hut in truth I think there is no chance whatever of my
being recognized. See how often Amuba went there with
nie, and though the nights were always moonlit we never
were once addressed, nor was it noticed that Aniuba was
not one of the regular attendants of the temple, who aluno
have a right to penetrate beyond the great courts."

228

amuba's plan.

" So be it then," Jothro said. " Then you shall explore
the temple, Amuba and I will search every cavern in th<!
hills. There are many great tombs behind the temple, and
just as we have selected such r. hiding-place, I'tylus may
have chosen one as a place of concealm ;nt for Mysa. Theie
are many tombs there built by princes, noi)les, and wealthy
priests for their reception after death which, could be turned
into a comfortable dwelling. After we liave spent some time
in searching there, we must, if unsuccessful, try further away.
Ptylus, no doubt, lik*:' Ameres, has country farms and resi-
dences, and she may be hidden in cne of these."

"1 believe myself," Amuba said, "that a better plan than
yours will be for us to esti»blish a watch over Plexo. Pty-
lus has his duties and is no doubt fully occupied in securing
his election to the higli-priesthood, but Plexo would most
probably go sometimes to see Mj'sa in her i)lace of imi)rison-
ment; he will naturally be anxious to conciliate or frighten
her into giving lier consent to marry him as soon as possible.
Therefore, if we can but watch him sufficiently closely he is
sure to lead us at last to her."

"That will certainly I^e the best way, Amuba. I did not
think of it before, but it is clearly the plan that ])romises
the best chance of success. We might search the country
for years without finding her; and although I wished to
keep up your hopes, 1 really de=?paired in my own mind.
But, as you say, if we follow Plexo, sooner or later he is
sure to bring us to her. But to do so we shall want many
disguises. I will think the matter over as I walk to-day,
and when I see Chigron this evening will beg him to get
the disguises that seem to him tiie best for us to use."

" As for me, Jethro," Chebron said, " I will visit the temple
of an evening, as I said. But long before midnight all will
be quiet there; so that will give me plenty of time for sleep,
and in the daytime I will work with you. Get me the
garb of a peasant woman. In such a dress and with a female
head-covering I could "purely get myself up so that even

A LONG DAY.

.M M «/

those wlio know me best would pass by without suspicion.
Many women are teller than T am. The disguise wouUl be
out of the question for A'auba, who is well nigh as tall as
you are, besides being wide and strong looking, but for me
it would do well."

" Yes, I think you could pass as a woman," Jethro agroed ;
"and certainly the more of us there are to watch this rascal
the better. But for myself I think that we are more likely
to succeed by night than by day. Plexo, too, has his duties
in the temple, and would be likely to })ay his visits after durk.
Then it would be a mere question of s})ced of foot, and
Amuha and I used to be trained in runnini^, and it will be
a swift horse that will outpace us. And now I am going
(U)W.t to the city. I feel more hopeful than I did, lads, and
for the first time begin to think that w« have a chance of
discovering where the villains have carried Mysa."

The day passed slowly to Chebron and Amuba. They
would not show themselves outside the tomb, as Chiuron
had earnestly begured them not to do so; besides there
were ^recpiently people about on the hillside, for many came
daily to oflfer prayers at the tombs of their relatives. Still
they had much to talk of — the chances of finding Mysa; the
(juestion with whom she should be placed if recovered ; the
prospects of the long and adventurous journey which lay
before them. Amuba encouraged talk on all these points,
and started the conversation afresh whenever it dropped, for
he saw that the excitement concerning Mysa had done a
great deal for Chebron. It had weaned his thoughts from
the death of his father, and the consequences that had arisen
from liis unfortunate shot; it had given him fresh subject for
thought, and had revived Ids spirits and interest in life,
lioth ^ads were glad when, late in the afternoon, they saw
Jethro ascending the hill.

" I have no news," he said, as he came up to them. " I
have been all di^y in the neighbourhood of tlie house of
Ttylus, and havG followed all who came out two together

'Ill

230

NO NEWS.

from it I have overheard many scraps of conversation,
and one and all talked upon the same subject, tiie death of
'\riiercs and of the sacred cat, and the want of success in
the search for you. The fact of Mysa being carried off was
spokei\ of once or twice; but I was convinced by the manner
in which the slaves spoke to each other on tiie subject that
they had not the slightest idea that their n»;ister was con-
c(;rned in tlie matter, and they had assuredly no knowledge
whatever of her being in the house.

" Of course it is possible that she might be there without
its being generally known to all tiie slaves. Still you know-
how things leak out in a household, and how everytiiiiig
done by the master and mistress soon becomes public pro-
perty; and had anyone among them heard something un-
usual was going on, it would by this time have been known
to all the servants. I hardly thought that Ptylus would have
ventured to have her carried hon e, for he might suppose
that her mother's suspicions might be directed towards him
just as ours have been, and that if she made a complaint
against him a search of his house might be ordered; besides
there are too many servants there for a secret to be kept.
No, if a clue is to be obtained it will be in the temple or by
our following Plexo."

As soon as it was dark they descended the hill together.
Chebron had attired himself in the garments bearing the dis-
tinguishing marks of the priesthood that Jethro had brought
up with him, having obtained them from old Lyptis. When
near the house of the embalmer the lad stopped, and Jethro
went on and returned in half an hour with the various dis
guises he had asked Chigron to obtain for him. All these-
with the exception of the scanty . ttire of two peasants, he
hid for the present in some bushes near the path, then he
rub])ed Anmba's skin and nis own with a fluid he had ob-
tained from Chigron; and after putting on the peasants'
clothes they took their way towards the house of Ptylus.

While Chebron went towards tJie temple, which was but

ON THE WATCH.

•2:;i

a short distance from tlie house, Jethro and Aniiil)a sat down
by tlie wall close to tlie gate so tliat none could leave it
without their knowlodLje. Hut beyond servants and visitors
no one came out. At ten o'clock they heard the bolts of
the gates fastenc'l, but remained where the}- were until near
midnight, when Chebron joined them. He had spent the
time wandering from court to court of the temi)le, but i)e-
yond a solitary ])riest moving here and there replenishing
the lamps of the altars he had seen no one, and had been
himself entirely unnoticed. Amuba and Chebron were both
inclined to be dis[)iritcd at the want of success of their
watching, but Je*hro chid them for their impatience.

" You <lo not suppose," he said, " that you are going to find
out a secret so well hidden by a few liours' watching. It
ma}' be weeks before we succeed. To-morrow we will begiii
our watch two or three hours before sundown. 1 am better
known to the servants at tiie house of I'tylus than you are,
as I have often taken messages there; besides in my disguise
I could not so well loiter about without attracting attention
as you could. I will, therefore, content myself with watch-
ing the northern road from the city upon the chance of his
taking that way, while you in your dress as peasants can
watch the house itself. You, Chebron, might sit down by
the wall fifty yards from the house on the noith side, while
you, Anuiba, had best keeji on the other side of the road and
somewhat to the south of the gate. In this \\ay you will
be within sight of each other and yet not together; solitary
figures are less likely to attract attention than two together,
for it is for two boys that people would be looking. As 1
should scai'celv know you myself now that vour skins are
darkened, there is, I trust, small fear of others detecting
your disguise."

Accordingly the next day, thiee ho\irs after noon, Amuba
and Chebron, disguised as peasants, went down to the house
of Ptylus and took their posts as arranged. J.ate in the
afternoon Amrba noticed that one of the slaves from the

232

*'KLN FOR YOUK LIFE!"

house of Ptylus Riiddenly checked liis walk as he passtMl
Chebron and gazed lixedly at him. Ainuba left the spot
where he was standing and walked quickly in that direction.
The slave spoke to Chebron, who rose to his feet. A moment
later the slave seized him. As they were struggling Amubu
ran up.

"Flore is a find!" the slave exclaimed. "This is the
slayer of the sacred cat. Aid me to drag him into the house
of my master."

But to his surprise Amuba sprang upon him and struck
him such a heavy blow in the face that he released his hold
of Chebron and stammered backwards.

" Run for your life !" Amuba exclaimed to his friend. " I
will take another route."

The slave, recovering from his blow, rushed at Amuba,
shouting at the top of liis voice:

"Death to the insulters of the gods! Death to the slayers
of the sacred cat!"

But Ainul)a, who was now eighteen years of age, was at
once stronger and more active than the slave, whose easy
life in the household of the priest had unfitted him for such
a struggle. Springing back to avoid the grasp of his assail-
ant, Amu))a struck him with all his strength in the face,
and as ho reeled backwards repeated tlie blow, and the man
fell heavily to the ground. But several other people, at-
tracted by the confiict and the shouts of the slave, were
running up, and Amuba took to his heels at the top of his
speed. As he expected, the })assers by paused to assist the
fallen man and to learn the cause of the fiay before they
took up the pursuit, and he was nearly two hundred yards
away when he heard the cry again raised, " Death to the
slayer of the sacred cat!"

By this time he was alongside of Chebron, who had paused
to see the issue of the contest with the slave.

"Do you turn off, Chebron, and take a turning or two and
conceal yourself, and then make your way up to the hill. I

amuua's flight.

233

will keep straight on for a whilo. I have more last than you
have and can outrun these ft.'llows, never fear. Do as I tell
you," he said almost angrily, as he saw that Chobron hesi-
tated when they reached the next turning. " If we keep
together they will overtake us both."

Chebron hesitated no longer, but took the turning indi-
cated. Amuba slackened his speed now, judging correctly
that his pursuers if they saw they gained upon him would
not trouble themselves about his companion, of whose
identity they were probably still ignorant. When, on look-
ing back, he saw that all had passed the turning, he again
quickened his speed. He was not afraid of being overtaken
by those behind him, but that he might mc^t other peoi)le
who, seeing the pursuit, would take hiiu for a fugitive from
justice, and endeavour to stop him. One or two did indeed
make feeble attempts to do so, i)ut did not care to grapple
in earnest with a powerful young man, evidently desperate,
and of whose crime they knew nothing.

As soon as he felt sure that Chebron was quite safe from
pursuit, he turned off from the road he was following and
struck across the country. A quarter of an hour's running
took him fairly beyond the villas and detached houses scat-
tered so thickly round Thebes. The ground here was closely
cultivated. It was intersected everywhere by channels con-
veying the water needed for the irrigation of the cro[)S. The
holdings were small, and in the centre of each stood a little
hut.

Some of these were inhabited, but for the most i)art the
cultivators lived in the villages, using the huts only when it
was necessary to scare away the birds and keep a close watch
over their fruit. In some of these jtatches the fruit-trees
were thick, and Amuba took advantage of the cover to turn
olF at right angles to the course he had been pursuing, and
then sha[)ing his course so as to keep in shelter of the trees,
ran until he arrived at a hut whv>se door stood open. A
glance within showed that it was not at present used by

2:u

A llUT CHASE.

the owner. He entered and closed the door behind liini,
and then climbod u]) a L'i(Uler, and throw himself down on
some boards that lay on the ratters for the storage of fruit,
pulling the ladder up after him.

The last glimpse he had of his pursuers showed him that
they were fully four hundred yards behind him when he
turned off from the line he had been following, and he
would have kept on and trusted to his speed and endurance
to outrun them had he not been sure that many of the cul-
tivators whom he had passed in his Hight, and who had
contented themselves with shoutini; threats at him for cross-
iug their land, would, on learning from his pursuers the
crime with which he was charged, join in the pursuit. Thus
fresh runners would be constantly taking up the chase, and
he would eventually be run down; he therefore thought it
best to attempt to conceal himself until night fell.

Scarcely had he thrown himself down when he heard
loud shouts rise close at hand, and had no doubt that some
labourer unobserved by him had noticed him enter the hut.
He sprang down again from the loft, and seizing a stake
\vhich with several others was standing in a corner, he
again sallied out. As he did so he was suddenly grasped.
Twisting himself free he saw a powerful Nubian armed with
a hoe. Without a moment's hesitation Amuba sprang at
him with his stake. The Nubian parried the blow with his
hoe, and in turn dealt a sweeping blow at the lad.

Amuba sprang back just in time, and before the negro
could recover his guard, struck him a heavy blow on the
wrist with his stake. The negro dropped his hoe uttering
a cry of pain and rage. Amuba followed up the blow on
the wrist with one on the ankle, and as the man fell, bounded
away again. But the negro's shouts had been heard, and
the pursuers were now but fifty yards away. Amuba saw
that their numbers had swollen considerably, and a doubt
as to his ability to escape them for the first time entered Lis
mind.

)ehind hirii,
ilf down on
ige of fruit,

ed him that
tn when he
ing, and he
I endurance
' of the cul-
id who had
:m for cross-
•ursuers the
rsuit. Thus
3 chase, and
I thouglit it
II.

n he heard
)t that some
ter the hut.
:in2; a stake

corner, he
nly grasped,
armed with
a s})rang at
ow witli his
id.

the negro
blow on tlic
lioe ntterin;;
he blow on
ell, bounded

heard, and
Aniuba saw
md a doubt

entered his

ONEUTAKEN.

235

They were too close for any further attempts at conceal-
ni<'»it, an<' he had now only his speed to rely on. IJut he
had already run nearly three miles, while many of those
))ehind him were frosh, and he soon found that he could
not agai!i widen the s})ace between them. For another two
miles he still kept ahead, at first leaping the ditches
liL;htly and without j pause, but at last often landing in the
niiddle, and scrambling out with difiiculty. He was becoming
completely exhausted now. Those who had at first taken up
the chase had long since abandoned it; but, as he had feared,
flesh men constantly joined the ranks of his pursuers. They
were but a few paces behind him when he found himself
again on the high road.

A few hundred yards away he saw a chariot approacliing,
and feeling that further ilight was hopeless he turned stake
in hand to face his pursuers, who were but a few paces be-
hind him. With cries of "Kill him!" "Death to the insulter
of the gods!" they rushed at him. Panting and breathless he
defended himself as best lie could. But his guard was beaten
down, and blows were showered upon him.

He fell, but with a great efibrt struggled to his feet again;
his senses were fast deserting him now, but he v/as con-
scious that the chariot drew up beside him, scattering his
assailants right and left. He heard a voice raised in tones
of indignant reproach, and then a renewal of the cries of
hatred. He felt strong arms round him ; then he was lifted,
and for a time became unconscious.

236

"WHO ARE YOol"

CHAPTER XIV.

A PRINCE OF EGYPT.

WHEN Amuba recovered his senses he was lying in ?,
heap at the bottom of the chariot. Two men were
standini^ in the car Ijeside hin^. The one lie supposed to be
the driver, the other the owner of tlie chariot.

Tn a few minutes the riliariot turned ot!" tlirough a stately
gateway. The driver leai)t do.vn and closed the gates, and
then led the iiorses to the steps leading up to a splendid
mansion. The man bc-^ide him called out, and t'.vo or thnm
shives ran down the steps. Then he was lifted out, carried
into the house, and laid upon a couch. A cup of wine was
placed to hi« lips, and after he had drunk a slave batiied
his head with cold water, and bandaged up the numerous
cuts from which blood was flowing.

This greatly refreshed him, and he raised himself on his
arm. An order was given, and the slaves left the apart-
ment, and Amuba looking up saw a tall and stately figure
standing before him. He recognized iiim at once, for he
had seen him following the king in one of the processions
among the princes of Egypt.

"Who are you? and ii it true what those men whom I
found maltreating you averred, that you are the slayer of
the Cat of Bubas'tes]"

"My name is Amuba, my lord," the lad said striving to
stand upright, but liis questioner signed to him to remain
seated. " 1 am a Rubu taken prisoiier of war, and handed
as a slave to Ameres, high-priest of Osiris. T am not the
slayer of the cat, but it is true that T was present at its
death, and that it might just as well have been my arrow
ihat accidentally piei'cod it us that of liim who did so."

" Then it was an accident," tlie noble said.

^!ll

AMUnA QUESTIONED.

23;

lying in a
men were
•posed to be

gh a stately
e gates, and
► a splendid
I'.vo or thn'n
out, carried
)f wino was
lave bathed
e numerous

iself on his
the apart-
ately figure
nee, for he
processions

len whom I
le slayer of

striving to
to remain
nd handed
im not the
sent at its
1 my arrow
id so."

"It was wholly an accident, my lord. Wo fired at a
hawk that had been thinning the pet birds of my master's
(laii'diter. One of the arrows struck a tree, and L'lancin"'
olF entered the house in which the cat was kept and unfi)r-
tunately causetl its death. We regretted the accident
bitterly, knowing how sacred was the animal in the sight of
tlie Egyptians."

"And not in your sight, young man? You are not yet a
follower of the gods of the P'gyptians?"

"I am not, my lord," Amuba answered; "but at the same
time I would not upon any account have willfully done
aught to offend the religions opinions of others, although
1 myself have not been taught to consider the life of a cat
as of more value than that of other animals."

"Then you worship the gods of your own people?"

Amuba was silent for a moment.

" I would answer frankly, my lord, and I hope that you
will not be displeased. Since I have come to Egypt I have
come to think that neither the gods of the Egyptians nor
the gods my fathers worshipped are the true gods. I bo-
liove that there is one great God over all, and that the
otiiers are but as it were his attributes, which men worship
under the name of gods."

The p]gyptian uttered an exclamation of surprise.

" Whence did you obtain such a belief as this?" he asked.

Amuba was silent.

"It must have been from Ameres himself," the noble
went on, seeing that the lad was reluctant to answer " I
knew him well, and also that he carried to an extreme the
knowledge he had gained. But how came it that he should
speak of such matters to you — a slave?"

"My master was good enough to make me a companion
and friend to his son rather than a servant to him," Amuba
replied, "partly because he thought that I should lead him to
a more active life, which he needed, for he was over studious;
jtartly because I had high rank in my own country, of

2:'.8

"DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM]"

wliioli my fiith(!r was tlio king. But ho never spoke of this
miittur until after the accident of the cut. My friend Chebron
was utterly cast down at the .sin that he tliought he li;iil
coniinitti.'d, and would at once iiave denounced liinisclf,
preferring (h;ath to hving with such \ burden upon iiis
mind. Then his fatijcr, seeing that hi.' whole hfe would
bo embittered, and thai lie would probably be forced to tly
from Egypt and dwell in some other land, told him tin;
belief which he liimself held. I believed this all the more
readily because I had licard much the same from an Israelite
maiden who served my master's daughter."

Again Amuba's lifitener uttorod an exclamation of sur-
prise.

" I knew not," he said, after a pause, " that th(?re was an
Israelite who still adhered to the religion of their ances-
tors]"

"The mai(h'n told mc that for the most part they had taken
to the worshij) of the Egyptians, and indeed, so far as she
knew, she was the last who clung to the old belief. She
had been brought up by a great-grandfather who had been
driven from his people and forced to dwell apart because he
reproached them for having forsaken their God, and he
instructed her in the faith he held, which was that there
was but one God over all the earth."

"Do you know who I am?" the noble asked abruptly.

" I know that you are one of the princes of the land, my
lord, for I have seen you in a procession following closely
behind the king with his sons and other princes."

"I also am an Israelite,, It seems strange to you, doubt
less," he went on, as Amuba started in astonishment at
bearing a prince of Egypt declare himself as belonging to
the hated race. "Many years ago, at the time I was an
infant, there was a great persecution of the Israelites, ami
as is supposed ray father and mother, fearing for my life,
placed me in a little cradle and set me afloat on the water.
It chanced — or was it chance or the will of God? — that tlie

"SIIK CAI.LKI) MK MdSllS."

•J.^1)

lation of sur-

water took mo to tlie s])ot wlioro tho Prinrcas 'riionnutliis,
tli(! (l.uii^liter of the tlion kiii;^ was Imtliinj; with licr
niaidons. She liad coinpa.ssion upon mo and adoptotl un\
and as I «j;rew up I had all t\w ri^dits and privilc^j^es of her
son, and rank, as you say, witli tlie princes of Iv^ypt. Slie
called me iMoses; for that was the name, as it seems, that
was writ upon a [»iece of papyrus fastened to my cradle. I
was instructed in all the learniu'' of th(! Iv'vwtians, and
grew up as one of them. So I lived for many years, and had
almost forgotten that I was not one of them; hut now — " and
here he stopped and began thoughtfully to pace up and
down the apartment.

" What has becotno of tho maiden of whom you spoke]"
he asked, suddenly stopping before Amuba.

"That I know not, my lord. Upon llie day that Ameres
was munh;red by the mob i)is little daughttu- was carried otl",
and Kuth, for that is her name, has also been missiii;. ever
since. It is for that reason we have lingered here, other-
wise we should have tied at once."

"You and the son of Ameres I"

"Yes, my loid, and another liebu, one of my father's
warriors, who was a fell()w-cai»tive with me, and also slav(!
of Ameres. The high-i)riest had great conlidence in him,
and committed to him the mission of aiding Chol)ron to
escape, and of conducting us if })ossible back to my own
land; but when we found tliat my young mistress was
missing we decided to leiiiain to search for her."

"What will you do when you find her?"

"If we can rescue her from those who have carried lier
away we shall hand her over to her mother, and then leavi;
the land as we hail intended. Unless, inde(;d, you, my lord,
in your goodness, could obtain for Chebron a pardon for an
oil'ence which was wholly accidental."

"That I can never do," Moses said. "This is wholly
beyond my power; the king himself could not withstand
the demand of the populace for his life. L'ntil lately 1

•240

"MOSKS ALSO HOLDS TlIK IWITII.

rni<^lit have in hoiiio way ai«lc«l you, ])ut I have no longrr
inlluonoe, and hav(! niystilf fallen into disgrace at court."

After again pacing the apartment for some time, Mosos
went on :

" If you find tijia little Israelite maiden tell her that she is
not the last of the laraelitos who helieves in the Ood of
Abraham, our anciistor; t«^ll her that Mosos also holds to
the faith. Vou again look surprised young man, and you
may well be .so, siM-ing that 1 have from the days of my
infancy been separated from my people.

"But our priests keep accurate records of all things
connected with the countries and religion of tlio people
with whom we come in contact. Thus, tlum, it was easy
for mo, who have access to all the stores of knowledge, to
examine the rolls recording the first coining of my people,
the rule of Joseph the great governor, the; coming of his
relations here and their settlement in the country. Thus I
learned that they worshipped one ( Jod, whom they believed to
be the only God in the world. I have been interested
dee[)ly in the learning of the })ncsthood, and have long seen
that behind all the forms and mysteries of the Egyptian
religion this central idea seemed to be hidden. None with
whom I have spoken acknowledged boldly that it w.as so;
but I heard reports that Ameres was bold enough to enter-
tain the idea that there was but one God, and that our far-
back ancestors, who had first worshipped him under the
various attributes they ascribed to him, came in course of
time to lose the truth altogether and to regard shadows as
substances. Therefore, I said to myself, I too will believe
in the one God worshipped by my forefathers, hoping that
in time it may be that I may learn more of him.

"Until the last two or three years I have been content to
live as one of the Egyptian princes; but of late my heart
has turned much to my oppressed people, and I have deter-
mined upon doing what I can to relieve their burden. I
have even raised my voice in the council in their favour, and

I SHAM. TKLL TIIKM THE TIU'Tll.

li 1 1

9 no longer
: court."
t^imo, Mosoa

r til at sho is
tlio (jrod of
so holds to
in, and you
lays of my

all things

tlio pooph)
it was easy
owlod^i^e, to

my people,
ning of his
7. Thus I

believed to

interested

e long seen

I'igyptian
None witii

i it was so;

5I1 to enter-

liat our far-

under the

1 course of
shadows as
vill believe
oping that

I content to
3 my heart
have deter-
burden. I
favour, and

I his has created a coldness between tho eourt and myself.
They considitr that I, having hud the honour of adoption
into tile royal family, should myself forget, and allow others
to forget, what t'ney Feganl as my 1 ase origin. Sometimes
I own, that 1 myself wonder that 1 s'lould fecil so drawn
towards them, and even wish tli;it I could forg»!t my origin
;iii(l give my whole mind to tin; duties and pleasures of my
present rank; but I feel moved by a spirit stronger than my
own. But we must talk no longer, 1 see that you are now
stronger. Do you think that yoii can walkC

"Oh, yes," Amuba re[)li(!(l, getting up ami walking across
the apaitment. " I have not lost much blood, and was only
dizzy from their blows."

"Then it is better that you should leave at once. The
jx'ople from whom I snatched you will have carried the news
sjteedily to the city, and oflicials will, doubtless, soon arrive
here to demand that you be given up to them. Tak(% there-
fore, another draught of wine and a piece of bread, 1 will
tluiu give you in charge of a trusty slave who will lead you
through the garden and through a small door at the back,
and will guide you to any spot where you may wish to go.
Even now, doubtless, a watch is being kept up in the front of
the house. When the otlicials arrive 1 shall tell them the
truth — that, coming, as I drove, upon a lad who was being
attacked and murdered by a number of brutal peasants, I
carried him off' in my chariot. As to the shouts I heard, that
you were the slayer of the Cat of Bubastes, 1 regarded it as
au invention designed to hinder me from interfeiing on your
(xjlialf; that I questioned you upon your arrival here, and
liiiding that, as 1 had su[)pose(l, you were entirely innocent
of the offence charged against you, I urged you to leave at
once, letting you depart by the garden gate in order to escape
the fury of your persecutors. As you are not an Israelite no
onr -an suppose that I could have any motive for shielding
an offender from the punishment of his crimes. Do not
thank me, for time pres.sus, and you must be moving, so oA

( 4M ) Q

242

AMUliA HEM'LKSS.

to be well away before it is known that 3'ou have left.
May the God we both worship, though as yet in ignorance,
guide and preserve you and carry you and your friends
through the dangers tliat beset you."

Moses drow l>ack the curtains from before the entrance to
the chamber and clapped hh hands, and ordered the servant
who answered the call to tell jMejihres to come to him. An
old slave speedily appeared, and Moses ordered him to take
y^muba out by the private way, and to guide him by quiet
roads ba'dc to the city. Then cutting short his guest's ex-
l)ressions of thanks for the great kindness he had rendere(l
him, he hurried him away, for he knew that at any moment
the oificials might arrive from the city.

It was well that Amuba iiad lieen supplied with a guide,
for upon issuing into the night air — fo? by this time dark-
ness had fallen — he found that he could with difficulty
direct his b'cp.s; his head throbljed as if it would sj lit from
the blows that had been dealt him, and every limb ached.
The old slave, however, seeing that he stun^.bled as ln'
walked, placed his stafT in one of Amuba's hands, and taking
him firmly by the arm led him steadily on. It seemed to
the lad that he went on walking all night, aiid yet it was
less than an hour after starting when his conductor found
that he could go no further, and that he was wholly unable
to answer his questions as to wiu'tiier he wished to be guided.
He determined to stop with him until he should Ite ali'e
to proceed again. lie tluu'efore led Amuba aside into nn
orchard, and there laid hiin down under the shelter of a
tree, covering him with one of iiis own garments.

"It is well for the lad that my loi'd arrived just M'hen lie
did," I c said to himself as he sat down by the side of
Amuba and listened to his heavy breathing — for all in ti.<'
house had heard from the charioteer of the rescue of the
lad from the hands of furious peasants.

"He must have been very near death when he was saved
from their hands. Maxis said that his assailants shouted out

((

I KKMKMllKIl NOW.

?A3

that lie was tlie slayer of the Cat of Buhastcs almut which
such a turmoil has been iiiade. Had it been so 1 do not
think that my lord would have aided him thus ti> escape;
thougli iov my part I care not if he had killed all the cats in
Iv^ypt, sei;ing that in my native Libya we worship not the
gods of the Egyptians."

Several times dui'ing the night the old man got up and
])lucked large handfuls of grass wet with dew and placed
them on Amuba's head, and wJien he perceived the Hrst faint
gleam of morning in the sky he aroused hitn. Amuba sat
up, and looked round with an air of astonishment.

" Where am If he exclaimed.

" You are at present in an orchard, my young friend, though
to whom it may belong I know not; but finding that you
were unable to continue your journt y I drew you aside here,
and you have slept well all night, and I hope feel better for
it, and able to proceed."

"T remember now," Amuba said; "it seemed to me that
I walked for hours leaning on your arm."

" It was but an hour," the slave replied; "we are not yet
two miles from my lord's house."

"And you have watched over me all night," Amuba said;
" for it was I know l)ut an hour after sunset when we started.
Truly I am dee})ly indebted to you for your kindness."

"S[)eak not of it," the old man replied. "My lord gave
you into my charge, and I cannot return until 1 can tell him
that you are in safety. But it you are f.ble to walk we
uuist i)ass on, for there may be a search for you as soon as
it is light." '^"

" I am perfectly able to go on," Amuba said ; " thanks to
the wet grass I see you have been piling round my head, the
heat seems to have passed away and the throbbing to have
ceased."

Amuba was indeed now able to walk at a brisk pace.

"Which way do you want to go? " the slave asked him in
5t short time. "It is getting light enough now for me to see

ii!i;i;

IN SHELTER AMONG THE HILLS.

your faco, and it will never do for you to meet any ono.
Vour liead is still swollen, and there are marks ui bruises
and cuts all over the scalp. Your appearance will attract
attention at once, and if any saw you who had heard of last
evening's doings you would be at once suspected."

"I will make direct for the hills," Amuba said. "Thov
are not far distant, and I can easily conceal myself amoiiu
ihe rocks until sunset."

"Let us hurry on then," the slave said; "it is but half
an hour's walk. But as we may at any moment now meet
j)easants going to their work, I will go on a-head, do yon
follow a hundred yards behind me. If I see any one comini:
1 will lift my hand above my head, and do you at once step
aside uom the road into the vineyard or orchard, and lie
there until they have passed."

Amuba followed these instructions, and it was more than
an hour before he reached the foot of the hills, so often did
he have to turn aside to avoid groups of peasants. At last
he reached the foot of the rugged ascent. Here he took
leave of his guide with many warm thanks for his kindness
and services, and with a message of gratitude to his lord.
Then Amuba ascended the hill for a short distance, and
laid himself down among some great boulders.

Although greatly refreshed by his night's rest he was still
weak and shaken, and felt altogether unequal to making his
way along the hills for the four miles which intervened be-
tween himself and the hiding-[)lace of his friends among the
tombs above the city. He was soon asleep again, and tlxi
sun was already some distance down the sky when he awoke.
He waited until it sank behind the brow of t)ie hill above
him, and then climbing some distance higher made his way
along the hillside, having little fear that his figure would be
noticed now that the hillside was in shadow. Darkness had
just fallen when he arrived at the tomb they used as their
shelter A figure was standing there in deep shadow. As
he turned the path and ap})roached, it advanced to meet

A.MUDA.S RETURN.

245

liitn. Then tliere was a cry of joy, and Jethro sprang for-
wuiil and clasped him i.v liis arms.

"My dear Amu4ja, I never thoi.ght to see you in life
a-ain!"

A moment later Chebron ran out, aid in his turn embraced
Aniuba.

" I shall never forgive you, and I shall never foruivc my-
s(,'lf," he said rci)roaclifully. " What r'ght had you to take
my danger upon yourself? It was wrong, Amuba; and I
have suilercd horrihlv. Kvcn thouirh we arc as brothers
why should you sacrifice yourself for me, especially when it
is my life and not yours that is forfeited. 1 tohl myself a
thousand times last night that I was base and cowardly in
allowing you and Jethro to risk your lives for me, when by
-iving myself up the rage of the peoi)le will be satisfied, and
you could make your way out of this land without great
danger. It was bad enough that you should share my risk,
l)ut when it comes to your taking it all upon your shoulders
that I should escape free, I can accept such sacrifice no
longer; and to-morrow I will go down and surrender my-
self."

Amuba was about to burst into remonstrance, when
Jethro touched him as a sign to be p^'lent. The Rebu knew
how acutely Chebron had suffered, and how he had spent
Mie night in tears and self-reproaches, and felt that it was
I)etter to allow his present agitation to pass before arguing
witli him.

"Are you hungry, Amuba?" he asked

"That I am, Jethro, I had nothing save a mouthful of
hiead since our meal h(!re yesterday; and you will get no
news out of me imtil I have eaten and drunk." A meal of
cakes and cool fish and a diauLfht of wine was soon taken;
and Anmba said, " Now I will tell you all about it."

" We know the first part," Jethro said. " When I re-
turned here yesterday evening I found Chebron almost be-
side himself with anxiety. He told me how he had been

246

JETIIKO I'llEPAllKlJ I'Ull A KK-iCLiE.

discovered by one of the slaves of Ptylus who knew him
hy sight; how you had attacked the slave, rescued him from
his hands, and then joined him in liis flight; how you in-
sisted that you should separate; and how the pursuers had
all followed on your track, leaving liim to return here un-
molested. He had been here upwards of two hours when
I arrived, and as the time had passed on without your
return he had become more and more anxious. Of course
I at once started out to gather news, and had the greatest
diificulty in persuading him to remain here, for he scorned
the idea of danger to himself from the search which would
be sure to be again actively set on foot. However, as I
])ointed out it was necessary that if you returned you
should find somebody here, he at List agreed to remain.

"When I got into the town I found the whole city in the
streets. The news liad comie that the slayers of the cat had
'oeen discovered; that one had escaped, but that the other
had been overtaken after a long chase; and that he had
been set upon, and would have been slain, as he well de-
served, had Tiot one of the princes of the royal house arrivctl
and carried him off in his chariot. This news excited the
greatest surprise and indignation, and two officers of the
city had gone out to- the prince's mansion, which was six
miles away from the city, to claim the fugitive and bring
him to the town, when he would be at once delivered to the
just anger of the po})ulace.

"As soon as I learned this I started out along the roa<l
by whicii they would return, and hurried on past the ]»eople
already gathered there. I had brought my sword with me,
and my intention was, that as the chariot returned with you
I v/ould leap ui)on it, sur[)rise and slay the officials, and drive
oir with you; for I knew you would be able to take no part
in uiaking the escape, as I had heard that you were already
insensible when carried off' in the chariot. There were
groups of peoj)le all along the road with torches, but I
tho'.ight that a sudden surprise would probably be successful.

TIIK. ANN(JUNCK.MF,NT OF THK OFFiriALS.

10 knew hi'm
etl him fiom
liow you in-
pursuers had
turn here un-
) hours when
without you»
s. Of course
the greatest
>r he scorneil
which would
owever, as I
'etiiriied you
) remain,
le city in tlie
f the cat had
lat the other
tliat he had
s he well de-
house arrived
s excited the
fficers of the
Inch was six
'e and brini,^
iverod to the

^ng the road
st the people
:)rd witli me,
led with you
Is, and drive
take no part
*vere already
There were
•ches, hut I
le successful,

*'At last I heard the chariot approaching. It was being
driven more slowly than I had expected. As it came to a
huge group of people some distance ahead of me it stop[)cd
for a moment, and the otlicial addiessed the people. There
was no shout or sound of exultation, and I felt convinced
ut once that either upon their arrival they had found that
you were already dead, or that in somo miraculous way you
h;ul escai)ed. I therefore hurried hack to the next group.
When the chariot came up there was a shout of, 'What is
the news'^ Where is the mah'-factorT The otHcials chc'dced
their horses, and replied: *A mistake has been made. The
[)rince assures us that the lad was a poor slave, and wholly
innocent of this alfair. He has saiislied himself that in their
jealousy for the honour of the gods the peasants who at-
tacked the lad committed a grievous wrong, and fell U}>on
a wholly innocent person. After assuring himself of this
he had had his wounds bound up and sullered him to de-
l)art. The prince intends to lay a comi)laint: before the
council against the persons who have crucll\ maltreated
and nearly murdered an innocent })erson, who, ho stated,
interfered in the matter because he saw a slave attacking
a vouni' lad, antl who iletl fearing trouble becau.se of the
punishment he had inflicted upon the aggressor.'

"The announcement was received '" ": but when

the chariot had driven on au;ain there was much nuirmurinj,.
This account had certainly the ap[)earancc of truth; for it
was alreaily known by the narrative of the slave who recog-
nized Chebron that the jierson who rescued him was a
youth and a stranger to him, and that it was this youth
who had lieen pursued while Chebrui. himself had csca}»ed.
Still there was murmuring that the juince should in so im-
portant a matter have sullered the youth to depart without
a more searching examination. Some said that even if the
boy's story was true he deserved punishment for attacking
the slave who had arrested Chebion, while others said that
us he had certainly been beaten almost to death, he h.id

f !

248

AMUBAS STORY.

l)ecn punislicd sufliciently. All agreed that no doubt the
whole allair would he iiivestij'ated.

" I hurried hack a,i:;ain with tlie new.'- and all night we
watched for you, and when morning came without your
arrival we were almost as anxious as before, fearing that you
had been too badly injured to rejoin us, and that to-day you
would ahnost certainly be recaptured. As the search for
Chebron would assuredly be actively carried out, I insisted
on his remaining quiet here while I maila frequent journeys
down to the city for news; but beyond the certainty that
you had not been recaptured, although a diligent search had
been made for you as well as for Chebron, 1 learned nothing.
Now, Amuba, I have relieved you of tiie necessity for much
talk; you have only to till in the gaps of the story, and to
tell us how it was that you persuaded this Egyptian piince
of your innocence."

" It is rather a long story, Jethro; but now that I have
had a meal I feel strong enough to talk all night, for I have
had nearly twenty-foui- hours sleep. First, I will t(dl Cheb-
ron that when I took the j)ursuers off his track I had no ich'a
of sacriliciiig myself, for I made sure that I should be able
to outrun them, and I should liave done so easily, had it not
been for fresh people constantly taking up the pursuit and
at last running me down."

Amuba then related the whole story of his flight, his
attack with the peasants and his rescue, and then recited the
whole of his conversation with his rescuer, and his procee<l-
ings after leaving his house. " 80 you see," he concluded,
"that strangely enough it was the teaching of vour father,
Chebron, and the tale that Ruth told us, and that her grand-
father before told you, of the (lod of tiieir forefathers, that
saved my life. Had it not been that this prince of Israelit-
ish birth also believed in one Cod, it could hardly be that
lie would have saved me from the vengeance of the people,
for as he savs he is in disfavour with the kin-' and his con
duct in allowiuLi' me to <j;o fi'cj merelv on mv own assertion

FIJKSH DISC ;u IS US.

21 'J

of my iiinoronce is likely to do liim furtlicr liarm. This ho
would assuredly never have risked had it not been for tliM
tie between us of a common faith in orie groat God."

*' It is a strange story," dethro said when Anniba brought
his narrative to a conclusion, "and you have had a mar-
vellous escape. Had it not been for the arrival of this
prince upon the spot at the very moment you must have
been killed. Had he not have been of a compassionate
u;iture, he would never, in the first ])lace, have interfered on
your behalf; and had it not been for your common faith, he
wouM have held you until the otHcials arrived to claim you.
Then, too, you were fortunate, indf.'cd, in the kin<lness of
your guide; for evidently had it not been for your long rest,
and the stei)s he took to reduce the heat of your wounds,
you nuist have fallen into the hands of the searchers this
morning. Above all, 1 consider it extraordinary that you
should at the critical moment have been rescued by peihaps
the one man in Kgypt who would have had the will and the
courage to save you."

U[)on the following morning Jethro and Amuba succeeded
with some dithculty in dissuading Che})ron from his deter-
mination to give himself up, the argument that had the
most powerful effect being that by so doing he would be
disobeying the last orders of his father. It was resolved
that in future as a better disguise he should be attired as
a woman, and that the watch upon the house of Ptylus
should be recommenced; but that they should station them-
selves further away. It was thought, indeed, that the search
in that neighbourhood was likely to be less rigorous than
elsewhere, as it would not be thought ])robable that the
fugitives would leturn to a spot where they had been recog-
nized. Amuba's disguise was completely altered. He was
still in the di-ess of a peasant, but, by means of j)igments
obtained from Chigron, dethro so transformed him as to
ui^e him, to a casual observer, the appearance of advanced
years.

2:)0

A SMA.M I'KASANT WlJMAiN.

They li.id liad a long discussion as to tlio plan tho}' would
adojjt, Arnuha and Jctliro wishing Chebron to leave ilio
watching entirely to them. But this he would not hear of,
saying tliat he was confident that, in his disguise as a woman,
no one would icnow him.

"We nust ti.,d .lit which way he got,, to begin with," he
",\ft>4 tiii t none of us noeil go near the house. I

lit

will buv a, !>a.4,V'i and some flowers fiom one of the peasant
women wl . brir ' thom in, and will take my seat near
the gate. By three o'clocU I'lexo will have finished his
offices in the temple, and may set out half an hour later. I
shall see at least which road ho takes. Then, when you
join me at dusk, one of you can walk a mile or two along
the road; the otiicr twice as far. We shall then see when
he returns whether he has followed the road any consider-
able distance or has tuintMl otf by any cross-roads, and can
post ourselves on the following day so as to find out more."

"The plan is a very good one, Chebron, and we will
follow it. Once we get u[)ou his trail I will guai'antee that
it will not bo Ioul!; before we tra<;o him to his goal."

Accordingly that afternoon Chebron, dressed as a peasant
woman, took his seat with a basket of fiowers fifty yards
from the entiance to the house of Ptylus. At about the time
he expected IMexo and his father returned together from the
temple. Half an hour later a light chariot with two horses
issued from the gate. Plexo was driving and an attendant
stood beside him. Chebron felt sure that if Plexo was going
to visit Mysa he would take the road leading into thn
country, and the post he had taken up commanded a view
of the point where the road divided into three — one run
ning straight north along the middle of the valley, whilu
the others bore right and left until one fell into the great
road near the river, the other in^o that on the side of the
valley near the hills. It was this Irst that Plexo took; and
although he might be going to visit acquaintances living in
the many villas scattered for miles and miles along the road-

ON TIIK TllACK.

2.-) I

side, Cli'jbrori fc^t a strong' hope that lie was going to M}\sa'8
hiding-pI' cc. As soon as it was d n k he was joined by
Jeth'o and Aninha.

" He started at three o'('h)ck !" Cliel)ron exchdmed as they
came u[) to him, "and took the road leading to the foot of
the liiil."

"We will go on there at once," Jethro said. " He may re
turn before long, and we nuist hurry. Do ycui walk (juietly
on, Chehron, aiul stop at tlie point where the road ahead
runs into the main road. Anuiba shall sto| two miles
fuither; I will go two miles further still. If he von. .'. along
the road past me we will begin at that jioint f mo: ; av."

Jethro had but just reached the spot at wh^ '> i "> proposed
t(j wait when he heard the sound of wheels appr .clung, and
a niiiuite later the chariot drove alonur. Tl moon was not
up but the night was clear and briL;ht, an> , .LdvanciiiLr as
dose as he could to the passing chariot, he was able; to
n!COgnize I'lexo. The latter gave an angry exclamation as
his horses shied at the figure which had suddeidy [)i'csent('d
itself, and gave a cut with his whip at Jethro. A minute
later the chaiiot had disappeared and Jethro returned to-
wards the city, pi('king \i\) on his way Annilia and Chebron.

The next night Aniul)a took up his station a mile beyond
the spot at which Jethro had seen the chariot, Jethro an-
other mile ahead, while Chebron watched the cross-roads
near the town; but this time it did not come aloni*;, althouLih
L'hebron had seen him start tlie same liour as before.

"1 hardly expected to see him to-night," Jethro said wht-n
he joined the others after fruitlessly waiting for three hours,
"lie will hanlly be likely to visit her two days in succession.
He will be more likely to leave her for a week to meditate
on the ho])elessness of relusing to purchase her liberty at
the price of accepting him as her husband. Doubtless he
has to-day merely i)aid a visit to some friends."

It was not, indeed, until the fourth ni<;lit of waitinu that
IMexo came along. This time he did not pass Jethro at all,

[:' ■:■ y*<^«£

252

POSTED ON THE HILLS.

and it was thoroforo certain that ho had turned olT from thi-
main road cit lujr to tho ri^lit or loft at some point l)Ot\vu«.M
tlie post of Jotliro and that of Amul)a. When tliis wjus
determined tliey agreed, after a consultation, not to return to
their hiding-places near Thebes that night, but to lie down
under some trees by tho road-side until morning broke, and
then to examine tiio road carefully. It was not likely that
another chariot would pass before morning, and they might
be able to follow the tracks along the dusty road.

In this way they discovenMl tho road where he had turned
olF; but beyond this tho tracks did not show, as the roiid
was hard and almost free from dust. It lay, as they ox-
l)ected, towards tho hills; but there were so many country
mansions of the wealthy classes dotted about, and so many
cross-roads leading to these and to the farm-houses of the
cultivators, that they felt they were still far from attaining
tho object of their search.

After some discussion it was agreed that they should
ascend tho hills and remain there during the day, and that
Jethro should return to the town as soon as it became dark
to obtain a store of provisions sufficient to last them for
a week. This was done, and the next day they separated
at dawn and took up their places on tho hills at a distance
of about a mile a})art, choosing spots where they commanded
a view over the valley, and arranging to moot at a central
point when night came on.

CHAPTER XV.

AMERES IS REVENGED

SIX days passed without their watch being rewarded;
then Chebron, whose post was just op[)osite the road
wiiere they had traced the wheels, saw a cliariot turn from

TRACKED TO THE lIlDINOrLACE.

2r)3

tlio main roud into it. As niiiny otlicrs liiid taken tliat
course evoiy day lie did not at first feel very ho|i('tui,
ftlthougli the time precisely tallied with that at wliich IMexo
should have arrived had he started at tlie same hour as
Itcforo. As it canio near, however, ho became convinced
thiit it was the vehicle he was looking for. I'he hoist s
tallied in colour with those of Plexo, and the colour of his
(hcss could even at that distance he distinLfuished. Titis
time, however, lie was not accompanied by a servant, but
hy a figure the whiteness of whose garment showed him
also to be a i)riest. "That must be Ptylus," he said to
himself, "my father's murdeier. Would I were down by
the edge of the road, with my bow and arrows; high-priest
:is he has now become, I would send an arrow through his
heart!"

The chariot turned off by the road parallel to that which
had beim followed from Thebes, and so close to the foot of
the hills that fiom ('hebron's post he could no longer see it.
As soon as it was out of sight he leapt to his feet and hur-
ried along the hills to join Anuiba, whose post was next to
his own. He found his fiiend had already gone on, and he
hurried breathlessly on until he reached Jethro, who had
been joined by Amuba a few minutes before.

"Have you seen them?" he exclaimed.

" I have seen tlusm and marked them down," Jethro re-
plied. " You see that roof among those trees at the foot of
the hill half a mile further along. They turned off the road
and entered these trees. Our search is over at last."

"What had we better do, Jethro] Wait until they have
left again, and then go down?"

" No," Jethro said sternly. " There are two things to be
done — the one is to rescue Mysa; the other to punish the
murderer of Ameres. But even did we determine to delay
our vengeance I should say we nuist still press on. You
saw that arch-villain Ptylus is with his son. He has assuretlly
come for some purpose; probably he may intend to terrify

2.") 4

••WK WM.I, VVSU ON AT ONCH"

the ii\r\ until ho drives her into tuliiiif; soino solemn oath
tliiit siio will iicco|it 1*I('\() us her hushiind. What can a girl
of that •.v:,i\ <lo in tin; hands of unscrupulous villains like
these, it may l)o that this fox IMoxo has been trying flat-
tery; and, finding that fail, lias called in Ptylua, who can
threaten her with the anger of these gods of hers, to say
nothing of perpetual imprisonment and harsh treatment.
We will theicfore push on at once. Anniha and I carr}' om-
stout |)easant staves, while you, Chebron, have your dagger
concealed under that female dress. We shall have all the
advantage of surjtriso in our favour. It is not likely that
there are more than one or two luv-n there, with iicrhaps a
female servant. Ftylus would not wish the secret to be
known to more than was absolutely necessary. Of course
it is possible that the four men who carried her ot! may all
be on guard there, but if so, it makes but six; and what
with the surprise, and what with their not knowing how
inmierous we are, that number should not be more than
surticient for us to dispose of without difficulty. At any
rate were there twenty I would not hesitate; lionest men
need never fear an encounter with rogues."

" Especially," Amuba said, " when the honest men pos-
sess such sinews as yours, Jethro, and a good heavy cudgel
in their hands."

Jethro smiled, but was in too cirnost a mood to answer,
and at once led the way along the hillside until innne-
diately behind the house among the trees; then they de-
scended, climbing with .some ditficulty over the wall surround-
ing the wood, anil entered the inelosnre. Treading as lightly
as j)Ossible Jethro and his companions passed through the
wood and m:ide their way up to the house. It was small
but handsomely built, and was surrounded with a colonnade
supported by carved pillars. The garden immediately
around it was evidently carefully tended, and the house, from
its sccludetl position, was well fitted as a place of sojourn
for a wealthy priest or noble desirous of a few days' rest

*• dun't u-^tds to iiim, mvsa."

2.".T

and retirement from tlio bustle of tlie ^'irut city. As
all were buri't'(j()t»'(l tlicy pusscd jumo-^s the •,'unlen to the
colomuule without tlu) sli'^htest wouml As tliey reached it
.lethro held ui) his hund foi' thcui to stop, for the sound of
voices cuuKj through the wi<le dooiway of tin apurlment
o|»ening out to the colonna«hj. Iloth Ciiubrou and Amubu
at once recou:nised tlu? voice of I'tvlus.

"I will [)ut up with no more of this folly, I\Tysa. Yoti
should tiiinU yourself fortunate in the extreme, in the posi-
tion in which you are, belonging,' to a disgraced family, to
receive such an oiler as my son makes to you. I will have
an answer at once. You will eitlmr sw(!ar before the gods
that you accept I'le.xo as your future husband, that you will
reply to all who question you that you have been staying
here by your own free will, and that you KMuained in con-
cealment simply because you were overwhelmed with horror
at the terrible act of sacrilege committed by your brother,
or you will this night be contincd in a tomb, where you will
remain alone and without the light of day until you agree
to my conditions. You don't think, you littb fool, that I,
I'tylus, high-priest of Osiris, am to l)e thwarted in my
plans by the oi)position of a chil 1 like 3'ou."

Here a voice, whiih the thiee listeiiers recognized to their
surprise as that of liuth, bi'oke out:

"Do not listen to him, Mysa. Whatever comes of it
never consent to lie before (!o.l, as this wicked man would
have you. You call youi'self a high priest, sir. ^\"hat must
he the worth of the gods you pretend to worship if they
sutler on«. like you to minister to them? Were they gods,
and not mere images of stone, they would strike you deail
at the altar."

A furious exclamation broke from Ptylus, and he Rtcpi)e(i
forward and seized the Hebrew girl roughly by the shoulder,
only to start back with anotlier exclamation as Mnn struck
him with her oi)en hand, with all her force, on tho ciieek.

"Drag her hence, Plexo!" he exclaimed, lint at this ino-

2'n

((

I DAKE TO EXHCUTK II IM.

nient tlie entrance was darkened, and the three listeners
sprang into the room.

Ptyhis luid the courage that distinguisliod his race, and
although for a monent startled at the sudden entry he did
not recoil, but drawing a sword from his girdle he said
hauglitily :

'* Who are you, and wliai means tliis intrusion?"

"We are tiiose whom you have been hunting to death,
Ptylus; and we come here as avengers of blood. As you
brought about the murder of Ameres, so you must die, — to
say nouglit of your oil'i'iice in carrying olF tlie daughter c/f
tlie man you fIcw."

Without a word Ptyhis ruslied upon Jetiiro witli In's sword,
thinking to make short work of this insolent i)easant; but
as he did so, Jethro whirled his massive club round his head,
and catching the blow upon it, shivered the sword in pieces.

Ptylus dropped his arm, and, gazing steadily at his oppo-
nent, said:

"Wretch, do you dare to murder the high -priest of
Osiris'?"

"No," Jethro said; "but I dare to execute him," and he
brought his heavy club down with all his strength upon the
head of the })riest.

At this moment Plexo, who had stolen unobserved from
the room the instant the others entered, returned, followed
by three armed men. Chebron and Amuba were so intent
upon the combat between Jethro and the priest, that they
did not notice the entrance of Plexo, who, with uplifted
knife, sprang upon Chebrcn.

There was a scream of warning, and quick as thought IJutli
sprang forward and pushed Plexo as he sprang through the
air. The sudden shock threw both to the ground. Putli
sprang to her feet again, but Plexo lay there motionless.
The three armed men stood for a moment stupitied at the
fall of their two em})loyer°., and then, seeing two men and a
woman, rushed forward to attack them. One sweeping

lUK KM) OF THK ENCdUMT-H.

2:.7

ee listeners

im," and he

l)!o\v witli Jcthro's stalf icWM the first of his assaihints to
the ground; the others paused irresolute.

"Drop 3'oar \veai)ous, or you are dead iu'mi!" Jethro ex-
claimed. " You are outnuuihered; a;id if you move, you die!"

As Chehron had now thrown hack his female robe and
drawn his dagger, and taken his j)la('e at the door, while
Jethro and xVnuiba were advancin-" a'.ainst them, the two
men drot>i)ed their weapons.

"Hold out your liands," Jethro said ** ^Nly son, stand
over them with vour club, and break the skull of either
who may move."

The men did as thoy were ordered. Jethi-o tore strips
of cloth off their garments, twisted tlieni into rojies, and
bound their wrists firndy together. The nii-aning t«)ne in
which Jethro ha'^ called Amuba his son had not escaped
either Amuba orChebron, who saw that Jetiiro was (hjsiroiH
of concealing their names. Mysa, who liad raised a cry of
joy when Jethro first spoke, had sunk ten-ilied uj)onacouch,
and had hidden her face in her hands dining tlie short encoun-
ter; while Ruth had stood silent and vigilant beside her,
moving only when Plexo rushed at Chebron, and i-etiring
to Mvsa's side a^rain as soon as she had re^M'ncil bee fed,.
Slie, too, understood Jethro's motive in calliirj; Ainuba his
son, and stoopin,- over Mysa she said:

"It is all over now, Mysa, but icniain (piii't at j)r('se;it.
Do not s})eaA until you si'e what is going to be done "

As soon as the men were tied, Jethio se/nred in the s inif»
maimer the man who was lying stunned froui his blow. Then
he turned to IMexo, who had not moved s.'nce he had fallen.
He half turned him round, and uttei'ed a low exclaiiuition of
surprise.

"< Jastrion," he said to Chebron, " 'j:o with the vouuLfladv
into the garden, and remain there until we join you."'

Chebion passed out on to the colonnade, following Mysa
and Until. The monn'iit they were unobserved Mysa threw
her arms round liim, and burst into tears with joy.

( »ol ; " 11

258

"ri.EXO IS DEAD."

"Oh, Chcbron!" she exclaimed, "yon liave arrived just in
time. I tliought we were never i^oiiig to get away from that
dreadful man; and 1 don't know what I should have done
if it hadn't l)een for Ruth. And, oh! they have been tell-
ing me such terri1)le things — but they can't be true — tliat
our dear father iiad been killed ; and that it was you, Cheln'on,
who killed dear Faucis; but of course 1 did not believe them
— I knew it was all their wickedness."

"Never mind about that, dear," Chebron said; "we will
talk about all this afterwards. The fii-st thing is to L;ct
you away from this ])lace. Jethro and Anniba will soon (K-
cide what is best to be done. Are there any others in the
house?"

"There is one other man," Ruth replied, "and an old
woman; I think the other man is at the door with the
chariot."

"I had better tell Jethro," Chobron said, and he again
went into the room and told dothro what he had hoard.

"We will seize the woman first," dotliro said, "and then
go out round the house and come down from the other way
upon i,he chariot. The man will have heard the outcry ; and
if we came suddenly out of the door, might h;ap into tlii'
chariot and drive olF before we could overtake him. But if
wo come upon it from behind we shall secure liim."

" But you have forgotten to bind Plexo," Chebron said

"Plexo is dead," Jethro replied. "As he fell his arm w.r
beneath him, and the knife with which he had intended to
strike you pierced his heart. I um very glad that you oh-
served the way I spoke to Amuba. It was of the greater
im[)ortance that the name should not be mentioned. Tiii-^
alFair will cause a tremendous excitement. There is nothing
to connect us with Ptylus, and it may be sujiposed that it is
the work of some malefactors, who came down from tiie hills
in search of plunder. The fact that Mysa was here and
was carried away is not in itself any proof that we had a
hand in it, for Lybian robbers might well have carried her and

" Voa SANKU MV Lli<i:, [;!'1II.''

•J .v.)

•rived just in
ay fi'Din tlmr
tl have doin'
ve been tell-
e true — tliut
on,Cliel)i'()ii.
believe them

id; "we will
llg is to j;('t
will soon (if
)tliurs in the

'and an oM
)or with the

Hid he again

hoard.
I, "and then
10 other way
; outery ; ainl
oap into tlh'
liiiii. Ijiit it
im."

ehron said

his arm wa •

intended to

that you ol»-

the greater

onod. 'riii>

ro is nothing

lod that it is

rom tile hills

as here aii'l

at we had a

rriod her airl

TJuth away to make slaves of, Plexo caiv.^it but a glimpse
of us, and doubtless only rashcd out und called to the men
to come to his father's assistance. At any rate h^t there be
110 names mentioned. Now let us finish our work here."

The female servant was soon found and l)ound ; then the
four prisoners were placed in dilFerent rooms, and fastened
securely to the wall or jiillars.

"Never })Ut two prisoners together," Jethro said; "always
remember that. Tie one man up and you may kec[) him;
tie up two and they are sure to esea))e. They can bite
through each other's cords, or untie the knot with their
teeth, or pos.silily even with their {ingers."

"Now, what is the next thing to do?" Amuba asked.

"The next thing is to have a consultation. Do you,
Cliebron, go out into the garden to the girls. Amuba and I
will deal with the other man."

As soon as Jethro and Amuba had left him Chebron re-
joined the girls.

"You saved my life, Euth. I shall never forget it."

"You sav^d me from the crocodile, my lord. It was but
a push and ho fell. 1 scarce know how it was done."

"Your quickness saved my life all the sa'ue, Ruth. I had
not notiee<l him till you cried out, and then it would hav«;
been too late. We have been anxious for you also, liuth.
We hoped that you might be with Mysa, but none saw
30U go out with her."

"My place was with iny mistress," TJuth said quietly.
" And she was more than a mistress — she was as a friend
to me."

" l>ut how came you here, Chebron?" Mysa again ask('(l,
"and why are you dressed up like a peasant woman? It is
not seemly in any man, much less in you, a j)riest. And
Amuba and Jethro, too; th(^y are dressed as peasants, and
their faces seem changed, 1 do not know how. They look
<larker, and I should not have known them had I not re. >g-
nized .Jothro's voice."

2G0

INITKD.

"It is a long story, dear, and I will tell you aii _")rcscntl'>":
and we want to hear your story too. All! here conic ilic
others. It is to them, Mysa, far more than to me that ymi
owe your rescue. I may know more of the leai'iiiiig of oim-
l)eo})le, but I have none of tlie readiness and coohies;, of
Amuba, while Jethro is as prudent as he is brave. It wouM
have fared hai'dly with me as well as with you, Mysa, hud
it not been for these irood friends."

Mysa went up to them as they approached.

"Oh, Jethro! I feel how much I owe to you; and to you.
Amuba. My courage had all but given way, although liutli
strove so hard to give me hope, and I fear I could not havi'
long withstood the threats of that bad man. You cannot tell
what joy I felt when I recognized your voice."

"Our joy was as great in finding you as yours in seeing
us," Jethro re[)lied. " "Amuba and I 'ould gladly have laid"
down our lives for you. Ami now let us have a con
sidtation; there is much to decide upon and arrange. Let
us n'O round to the uarden at the other side of the house.
There we can sit and talk, and at the same time keep wat^h
that no one else enters. It is not likely that any one will
do so, for the place is secluded, and none would know that
these men were here; still a peasant might enter to sell fowls
or fruit, therefore it were best to keep an eye upon the
entrance."

They went round to some scats placctl beneath trees on
the other side of the house. A fountain worked by the water
of a little rill on the hillside played in front of them, and a
few tame water-fowl swam in a shallow basin around it.
Everything was still and j)eaceful, and to Chebron it seemed
as if the events of the last three weeks had been a hideous
dream, and that thev were again sitting in the <:;arden of
their house at Thebes.

" Now, first of" all," Mysa said, "I must have my questions
aiii-.wi^i ^d. Hou' are my father and mother and everyone T

Jethro took Amuha's arm and turned away. "We will

ircsentl:":

conu^ tlic

! that }(iii

ling of oil]'

jooliies:, of

It woiiM

Mysa, hud

ind to you.
ough Kutli
(1 not hiive
cannot tell

"s in seeing

y have laid*

ave a con

mge. Let

the house.

keep wat'h

ny one will

know tliat

-o sell fowls

3 Ujjon the

X\\ trees on
y the water
hem, and a
aroi'iid it.
11 it seemed
ti a hideous
i garden of

y questions
iveryone {''
"We wid

"iHlS I.S ''00 DUKADlXLl"

2(;i

leave you, Cliol.>ron, to t^dl ]\ry.sa wliat has taken place. It
will be better for you to do so alone."

Ruth rose from her seat to leave also, but ^lysa put her
hand on her arm.

"I am frightened, Ruth; stay with me."

"You told me, Mysa," Chebron began, "that they had
t(dd you tales that our father was dead, and that it was I
who kille<l Paucis."

"Yes; but I did not believe them, Chebron. Of course
I did not for a moment -at least not for a moment about
you ]>ut when I tliought of those bad men at the gate, and
t!ie crash we heanl, and the noise of the people ru.shing in
shouting, I thought — I was afraid — that [jerhaps it might
be true about our father. IJut, oh, Chebron, surely it is
not so?"

"Alas! ^Nlysa, it is true! They cruelly slew our father. I
wish I had been there to have fallen by his side; but you
know Amidja and I were away. Jethro fought des[)t!rately
to the last, and would have; died with him had not cur father
liiiii.seir commanded that in (.'ase anything happv..no<l to him
he was to take charge of me, and to carry me out of tiie
land."

.Mysa was crying bitterly now. Presently she looked uj).

"Put wdiy should you want to leave the land, liebroii]
Surely — surely it i.s not true that you — "

The thing seemed too terrible for her to put in • words.

"That I killed poor Paucis. That is true also, Mysa."

Mysa gave a little cry of horror.

"Oh, Puth!" she crie<l, "this is too dreadful;"'

Ruth put her arms round the sol>bing gir- "You may
be sure, i\Iysa, that your brother did not do it intentionally."

"Put it is all the same," ^Mysa cried. "It wa< the sacred
cat, you know — the Cat of Pubastes."

"It was, Mysa; and I tlnjught at first, as you did, that al-
though it was the result of an aceid(!nt the ami;, i- of the gods

Won

Idb

e pourec

I out

1 mains

t me, that I \\ as as one accursed,

26:?

"I SHOULD NKVKR DO THAT!"

Avhose life was forfeited in this world, and whose spirit w;i,s
destined to dwell in unclean heasts after death. But wiicii
I told my father all, ho reassured nie, and told me not to fear
in any way the wrath of the gods."

He then related to his sister the manner in which the cat
had been killed, the steps he and Amuba had taken to coi.
ceal the body, and his avowal to his father of his fault.

"I see it was not your fault, Chebron. Hut you know the
laws of Egypt, and the punishment for killing even a com-
mon cat. How could our father say that the gods would not
be angry 1"

"I cannot tell you all he said, Mysa; though some day
had I remained with you I might have done so. IJut he did
say so, and you know how wise and good he was. Therefoic
I want you to remember what he said, so that when 1 am
gone you will not all your life think of me as one accursed."'

"Oh! I should never do that!" Mysa exclaimed, starting
up and throwing her arms round her brother's neck. "How
^ould you think so? But why are you talking about going,
ind where are you going 1"

"I am going, Mysa, because the pcojjle of Egypt do not
view this matter in the same light as my father, but arc
hunting aP the land to find and slay me and Amuba; for,
not knowing the exact truth, they put us down as equally
guilty. So we must fly. Our father gave full directions
to Jethro, and we should by this time have been a long
distance away had it not been that we stayed to find and
rescue you."

" Then if the other things they told me are true, Chebron,
it may be true too that the letter they showed me ordeiin^
me to consent to many Plexo Avas from iny mother. How
could she tell me that when she knew that I hated him, and
she has over and over again spoken scornfully of his family
before mel"

"What did she say?" Chebron asked.

" She said that now disgrace had fallen on the family 1

"HE DIED liV HIS OWN HAND.

2G3

might think myself very furtiiiiiito in ol)Liiining such an
otrer."

Chebron was silent. He knew tliut his nidtluT had never
shown any earnest love either for Mysa or hini.si'lf, that lier
thoughts were entirely devoted to dress and entertainments,
and that any love she had to give had been bestowed upon
his brother.

"I fear it is true, AFysa."

"But I will never marry Plexo!" Mysa (exclaimed passion-
ately. "My father always said I should never marry a man
I disHked."

" You will never marry Plexo, !Mysa — ho is dead."

Kuth uttered an exclamation.

"He died by his own hand, Kuth — that is, by an accident.
As he fell his dagger pierced his own heart, and when -lethro
went to look at him he was dead."

"The Lord reijuited him for his evil, •* 'h said tirndy.
"All things are in his hands. As I did not mean to slay him, I
lament not over his death. P)esides, he strove to take your life,
and had I had a dagger in my hand I sihould assuredly have
used it."

"Then what is to become of mo?" Mysa asked.

*' You must go back to your mothci-, M ysa. There is
nought else for vou to do."

"1 will not!" iMysa exclaimed. "She never loved me.
She wouhl have married me against mv will to Plexo, al-
though she knew he was bad, and that I hated him. S'lc
would make me marr\^ some one else who was rich, regardless
of my wishes. No, Chebron, nothing shall make me go back

to her."

Chebron looked per[)lexcd.

"Here come Jethro and Amuba, dear. You had best
talk it over with them. I see nothing else foi- you to do."

As Jethro came up Mysa walked to meet him.

"I will not go back to my mother, Jethro!" she exclaimed
impetuously. "She waiited mo to marry Plexo. She would

2G4

I WiLL NUT GU lU llEi:l

f^ivo mo to some one ols(;, and my futlicr always said I shouM
only marry sumu one I liked. Vou can ncvt'r l>e so cruel as
to give me up to IktI"

" I know that your father's wishes were strong; ui)on that
point," Jetliro said; "for he spoke to me o[ you when l»e gave
me liis commands I'especting Chehron. lie said tliat lie
wished that 1 could watch over you as ov(!r him, and it was
Ixicause of what he had said that I disrcgaided his orders as
to our instant llight, and lingeied liere in hojjcs of freeing
you. Still I see not ajiything else to l)o done. Your mother
<h)i'btle5 wrote while still overpowered l)y grief at your
father's loss, and thought that she was acting for your wel-
fare in securing you an advantageous marriage in spite of the
cloud under \vhich your family was resting."

" I will not go to her!" Mysa repeated. "She thought of
herself, as slie always did, and not of me in any way. You
know it was so, C'hel)ron — you cannot deny itT'

Chehron was silent. His whole atlection had been ijiven
to his father, for his mother he had comparatively little.
Ait'i t clnld he had s(;ldom been allowed to come into the room
Avhoie sue was. She declared that his noise was too much
for her, that his talk made her head ache, and that his
iidgeting about was too much to be borne. Nor since that
time had he been much more with her. It was his father
wlio had seen to his welfare and that of J^'^ysa, who would
})ut aside his grave studies to walk and talk with them, mIio
was always indulgent, always anxious to give them pleasure,
lie therefore thoroughly entered into Mysa'o feelings, but
saw no possible alternative for her.

" But where could you go, Mysa ?" Jethro asked. " Wheix
coidd you be placed] Wherever you were your mother
in time would be sure to hear of it and would re-claim
you."

" I shall go with Chebron, and you, and Amuba," Mysa
said positively.

" Impossiide!" Jethro replied. "We are going u))on a

MVhA .S i>L:i'KllMINAiiUN.

20.-)

li 1 shoulil
so crik'l its

upon thiit
t'!i he ii;avu
I that he
iii'l it WHS

s orders as
of freeiii:^

>nr mother
f at 3011 r
your \v('l-

ipite of the

thought of
\'ay. Vou

)cen given

vely little.

tiie room
too niurli

il that lii.s

since that

his father

vlio would

them, M ho

1 pleasure,
alings, but

" Wheix.
ir mother
I re-claim

ba," Mysa

g upon a

troniendous jonrnoy, full of dang t and fatigue. We aru
going among unknown and savagf peo{)les; tlu; chances are
a hundred to one against our ever arriving at the eml of our
juuiiiey. If this is so to myself and to yoiuig men like
Cliehron and Amuba — for tiiey are now past eighteen, and
will speedily be men — what chance would there be of success
with you with us<"

" I can walk as well as Chcbron," Mysa said. "Vou know
that, Chebron. And I suppose I could sulier hardship just as
well. At any rate;, I would rather sailer anything and be with
iiini and all of you than stop here. The people have munlered
my father. My mother would sell me to tli".' highest bidder.
If the chances aie so great that you will never get through
; our jonrney in safety, my being with you cannot mak*;
tlicm so much irreater. 1 have onlv (.'hebion in the woild,
and I will go where he goes, and die where he dies. The
gods can protect me just as well on a journey as here. Have
they not protected you now, and Chebron too, by wliat he
saysl You will take me with you, dear .)<!Lhro, won't you?"
she urged [tleadingly. "You say my father wished you to
watch over me; do not forsake me now. Ruth will come
with us too —will you not, Kuth?— 1 am sure she will not be
luoie afraid of the journey than I am."

''I will assuredly go if you go, Mysa. The (Jod of Isiael
can take us safely through all dangers if it be His will."

Jethro was silent. Such an addition to his charge would
assuredly add immensely to the dillicultics of the journey ;
hut on the other hand he remembered the anxiety of Amei'('s
about Mysa, and he asketl himself what his late master
Would have wished had he known how niattci'S stood. He
glanced at Amuba and Chebron and saw at once that their
wishes agreed with those of Mysa. He turned away
id)ruptly, and for some minutes paced up and <lown the
garden. Then he returned to the gron]), among whom not
a word had been exchanged since he left them.

"Mysa," he said gravely, "this is a great thing that you

2G6

A SKKIUb'S CN'I)KllTAKIN(}.

H.sk; there is no disi^uising tliat your prosenco will adij
^^ro.'itly to our dilliculLics, will lulil also to our perils, iuiij
may render it inii)()S.sihIo for mc to carry out your father's
wishes and to comluet Chehron to a land where he will he
lM;yond the persecution of E;j;y[»t. Such an enterprise must
l)e undertaken in no light spirit. If you go you must he
pre{)ared to face death in all foinis— by hunger and thirst
and the weapons of the wild natives. It may even be that
your lot may he that of slaveiy amoiiL; them. It is a terrible
journey for men, more terrible still for women; still, if you
are resolvcid, resolved with the strength and mind of a
woman and not of a child, that after having once turned
your baek upon Kgy[)t you will never repent the step you
have taken or wisji to retuin, but will be steadfast under
all the trials that niay befall us, then I say that you shall
share our lot."

My.sa uttered an exclamation of joy.

" 1 promise, Jethro; and whatever n' y happen — har<lshi[),
danger, or death — you shall never hear a word of complaint
from me. Ai'c you not glad, luithl"

"I think it well," KuLh said gravely. "It is a great
undertaking; but I think that (Jlod's hand is in it. I, too,
would fain leave this land of idols; and except those here
have none in the world to care for."

" And now, Jetliio," Amuba said, "what had we best do?
It is already almost dark, therefore we could set out at once.
Could we make use of the chariot?"

Jethro consiilered for a short time.

"Except for carrying any things we may want for our
first start, I do not see that we can do so," he said; "ftu
where we leave the chariot to-morrow morning it would he
found, and when it is known tha^ Ftylus' chariot was miss-
ing it would soon be recounized as his, and thus a clue be
atlbrded to the fact that we had lied south. As to travelling
in it beyond to m'ght, it would be out of the question.
IJesides it will only hold three at the most. No, if we use

TllK DISI'OSAL Ol' illK CIIAUIOT.

'Jt

I i

it at u!l it must he to drive north, and so throw tliem olV tlio
scent. I think it will he worth doing that."

" 1 will undertake that jtait of the husincss," Aniuha
said. "Theie will be nnich for you to do tomorrow, dethro,
which only you can arrange. There's the hoat to he hired,
stores laid in, and all got in readiness. I thiidv the best
|ihin will be for you both to start at once witii the girls for
Thebes. You and Chebron can occu})y your hiding place on
the hill, and Chigron will be glad to take the girls into his
house. There is no danger of an immediate search being
niado for them.

"To-night when the priest and his son do not return
their servants will suppose that they have sle]»t lu-re. It
will not be until late to-moi'row afternoon that there will
be any alarm or any likelihood of a messenger being sent
over here, then the consternation nd confusion that will
be caused will be so great that piobably no one will think
of carrying the news to tin; oMicials until tin' next morning.
I'esides, until the story of .Mysa's having been here an<l of her
being missing is generally known, there is no reason that what
has taken place shouhl be attributed to us; therefore, for the
next e^'ght-and-forty hours I think that they would be per-
fectly safe at the endjalmer's. I will drive the chariot thirty
or forty miles north, then turn the horses loose where they
aie sure to be noticed ere long, and will return on foot and
join you in your hiding-plact^ to-morrow night."

'* 1 think your })lan is a very good one, Anni])a. Before
we start I will make a search through the house. There will
be nothing we want to take with us, nor would we touch
any of the treasure of the villains were the house full of
it; but if I toss som< tf ihe things about it will look as if
robbery had been the moti\e of what has taken place.
The men in bonds can know nothing of the real state of
things. Plexo, when he rushed out for their aid, can have
had no time to do more than to tell them to take up th(Mr
arms and follow him; indeed, it is doubtful whether he him-

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)

208

rUKrAUING A FALSK CLUE.

s«!lf liad any idea that we were au.^llt but what we seemed.
TlitTcfore, the first iini>icssion assuredly will be that wo
were iiiaK^factors of the worst kind, es(;aj)ed slaves, men witli
no res[icct for tlie i^ods; for assuredly no Kgyptians, even
the worst of criminals, would, in cold blood, have laid hands
on the hiL;h-|)riest of (Jsiris."

" They lai<l hands on my father," Chebron said bitterly.

" \ga, but not in cold blood, lieports had first bcrn
spread amongst them that he was untrue to the god.s, and
tlu^n they were maddened by fanaticism and horror at the
death of that sacred cat. Hut in cold blood, as I said, no
Egyptian, however vile and criminal, would lift his hand
against a priest. Vou may as well come with nie, Amuba,
it wouUl be strange if one of us only took part in the
search."

In ten minutes Jethro and Amu1)a had turned the i)ia('e
into confusion in forcing open chests and cabinets an<l lit-
tering the Hoor with gainicnts; tlu'U taking a f«*w of the
most valuable vas(!s and jewels they threw them into the
pond round the fountain, whore they would be concealed
from view by the water lilies which floated on its surface.

They exauiined afresh the fastenings of the captives, and
felt assured that by no possibility could they free them-
selves.

"They will be sure to bo freed by to-morrow night,"
Amuba said, "otherwise 1 should not like to leave them
here to die of hunger and thirst."

" I should be only too glad," Jethro said, " if I thought
there was a chance of their being here forty hours instead
of twenty. Doubtless this is not the first evil busine.ss they
have carried out for their villain master, and they may
think themselves lucky indeed that we do not take what
would be in every way the safest and best course, namely,
to run a sword through their boiiies and silence them for
ever. If I tluuight they could tell anything I would do so
now ; but 1 really do not think that anything they can tell

••TIIKV can IKI.I. NitTIIINC."

2t".0

ive secineil.

36 tliat U(!

I, men with
tians, even
laid hands

I bitterly.

first b('<ii
I gods, and
rror at the

I said, no
b his hand
le, Amuha,
art in tlie

! tlie place
ts and iit-
■(•w of the
i\ into the

concealed

surface,
jtive.s, and

ree theni-

w nijiht,"
ave them

thought

s instead

ness they

ley may

[ike wliat

namely,
them for

Id do so

can tell

will aild to our danger. Of course the priest's wife knows
that Mysa is hi<l«ien here, and will proclaim the fact that
she has been heie and is now nn'ssing, Jis she would
consider it nn'ght atlbr<l a clue for the apprehension of those
who attacke<l the house and slew her husband and son,
therefore I do not see that there would be mmh to be gaini!il
by silencing these people; but if you thin!; dillerently 1 will
tiiiisli them at once."

Amuba shook his jjcaij, for although human life in those
(lays was thought little of, save by the Egyptians them-
selves, he shrank from the thought of slaying captives in
cold blood.

"No, they can tell nothing, Jethro. You had best be
moving, there is nothing more to talk over. I think all
our plans were arranged long ago; exct'[)t, of course, that
you must get rather a larger boat than you had intended,
together with garments for the girls. I think it would be
best that Chebron should still be «lisguised as a woman; but
we can settle that tonioirow niLiht, Th Me is a ijood store
of dresses for us to choose from at Chi;j,ron's."

Amuba led the horses to a stone water-tiough and allowed
them to quench their thirst. Then he mounted the chariot
a id drove otF, while the rest of the party set out on foot for
Thebes. It was so late before they reached Chigron's house
that they thought it better not to arouse; the inmates, as
comment would be excited by the anival of women at so late
an hour and unexpected by tlie master; the giils, theicfoic,
jtassed the night in the rock chamber hehiuil the building,
while Jethro and Chebron lay down outside.

As soon as dawn bioke they moved some distance away.
.Tethi'O went to the house as soon as there was a sign tiiat
there •■IS any one astir, and told Chi'-iron that thev hail
discus 'ed ar.d rescued Mysa, (.'higron was nnicli disturbed
when he heard of the death of the high priest and his son.

"I don't say these men were not villains, .lethro; but
that two high-priests should be slaughtered in the course of

270

A WIXCOME SIIKI.TER.

a month is onouqh to bring the anj^er of all the gods upon
Kgypt. Iio\v(!ver, the poor girls use not lesponsible for !i
in any way, and 1 will willingly shelter thcni, especially as
it is hut for one night: but 1 own that 1 shall bo vastly
relicv(Ml when I know that you arc all faiily on your journ«'\ . '

"Tliat 1 can well understand," Jethro said; "and bclinv*;
me, the gratitude of those you have shelten'd, which y<»u
will have as long as they live, may well outweigh any doubts
that may present themselves as to whether you have acted
wisely in aiding those who are victims to the superstitions of
your countrymen."

Chigron called his servants and told them that he had
just heard of the arrival from the country of some friends,
and ordered a room to be prcjtared for them. He then
went out and returned an hour later with the two girls.
He led them quietly into the house and direct to the apart-
ment ])rei)ared for them, so that they were unseen by any
of tiie servants.

Then he called an old servant on whose fidelity ho could
rely, and charged her to wait upon them during the day, and
to sullbr none other to enter the apartment. He bade hei'
convey the impression to the other servants that the visitors
were aged women, and to mention that they intended to
make a stay of a few hours only, until some friends with whom
they were going to stay should send in a cart to cany them to
their farm in the country. The old woman at once prcpare<l
baths for the girls and then sui)plied them with a meal.
after which they lay down on couches and were soon fa>t
asleep; for the excitement of the preceding evening and the
strangeness of their position in the comfortless stone cluunber
had })reventcd their closing an eye during the night, and
they had spent the liours in talking over the terrible loss
Mysa had sustained, and the journey that lay before them.

Half an hour later Chigron went out again and was soon
joined by Jethro, who had now resumed his attire as a
citizen of middle class. It was necessary that Chigron

3 gods upon

n.sible for it

3s|)eciully as

11 bo vastly

ur jouni»'\ . '

and l)('lit!V(!

which 3()U

any doubts

have act'jd

Distitions ot

hat he had
me friends,
He tlieii
two girls.
) the a[»art
een by any

y he could
le <lay, and

bade her
:he visitois
itended to
with whom
ry them to
e i»rei»aivd
th a meal,

) soon fa>t
ig and the
le chamber
tiiglit, and
rrible loss
ore them.

1 was soon
ttire as a
t Chigrou

HIKING A no AT.

271

should anrompany liiin ami tukc tlio chief i»art in making
the arranguinents; fur altliuuiili .luthro liatl h-aiiuMJ, in his
two years' fai»tivity, to sjusik Mgyjitian thjcntly, lio coiihl
not well j)ass as a native. Chi^^)n then-fore tlitl most of tlio
Itargainini,', .Jelhro keeping somewhat in the haekgrountl.

Tijey lirst took tlieir course down to the river l>ank.
Here innumerable cialt hiy moored; for the Nile was the
highway of Kgyi^t, an«l except for shcnt journeys uU tratlio
was carried on on its waters. As soon as it was known that
they were looking for a boat they weie surrounded by the
owners of the various craft, each praising the speed, safety,
and comfort of his boat. Chigron, however, was some
time before he made Ids choice; then he fixed upon a
i)oat tiiat seemed well suited for the purpose. She carried
a mast and large sail to take advantage of favourable winds.
She was light and of very small draught, and, l>eing con-
structed entirely for passenger tiallic, she had a large ( abin
— divided into two i)arts for the accommodation of ladies--
tho crow, consisting of the captain and four men, sleeping on
the deck.

"I think your boat will do very well," he said to the
captain, "j)rovided we can come to terms. My friend is
going up with his family as far as Syene at any rate, and
possibly on to Ibsciak; his business may take him even far-
ther. What will be your terms a week?"

" I suppose my lord will provide food for the crew as well
as for his own family]"

"That will be the best wa}^" Jetliro said.

"Then will he pay for extra hands where tlio currfmt
runs so strong that the crew cannot tow the boat unaided
against it?"

Jethro assented.

"And will he return with it, or remain for a while at the
end of his journey?"

"It is probable that his business may detain him th«Me
for a considerable time," Chigron replied. " lie has rela-

L'72

ri:i:i'AKATi()Ns km: tiik nova'.!-:.

tious there witli whom lie will wish to in;il<e a stay. T»ut
tliisshouKl luiiko no (liircroiK'c; 3011 will h;ive no ilitliciilty in
ohtjiining iiusscngers or i'loii^ht for your journey down."

It WHS ii lon^i^ time before a hai'^ain was struck, for
Ciiii'ron know that tho hoatnian wouM coiKsidcr it Ktraiiu*;
inileed weic the tcrni.s lie lirst asked to he at^'ejited. Hut
at hist an airanj,'einent satisfactory to Intth parties was con
eluded. It was arranged that the start should take iiia( c
early on the following morning, and Chigron then iiro-ecdcd
with .lethro to make the purchases re(|ui.-itt' for the voyage
— mats, cushions, and curtains for furnishing the hoat,
cooking utensils and provisions for the ( n \v and passen
gers. Of these, however, it was not necessary to take a
very large quantity, as the })oat would lie up to the hank
every night near one of the frccjuent villages, and here tiieie
would be no diiliculty in purchasing provisions of all kinds.

Some jars of good wine were, however, among the stores
purchased, and in addition to these were seveial bales of
costly merchandise and a large stock t)f such articles as
would be useful for trade with the natives of the wilder
parts of the country. A supply of aims —bows, airows, and
lances — was also placed on boaid. It was late in the after
noon before all these things were got on board the boat and
ev(;ry thing arranged in order. Having seen all compiete,
Chigron returned with .lethro to his house. Jethro, aftt r
.seeing the girls, who had just woke \\]> and partaken of a
meal, went up to the hiding-i)lace on the hill and fouinl thai
Anniba had just joined Chehron there.

" Is all going on well I" the lads asked as he (entered.

"Everything is in readiness. The boat is hired and fui-
nished. I have a good store of merchandise for trading in
Meroe, besides trinkets of many kinds for the peoples l}ing
between Meroe and the lied Sea. So far eveiyihing pio
nn'ses well. The boatmen belong to the Up}»er Kile, and
tiieir dialect dill'ers too widely fiom that spoken here tor
them to be able to distinguish that I do not talk puit;

AMLDA« MISSION.

273

I sta}'. l)Ut
' (lilliculty ill
' down."

struck, for
■r it :struiij:t!

0|tttMl. Hut

tics was COM

I take iihicc
Ml jtio/eednl
V the vovaut'
l; llie Itoat,
ami passL'ii
V to take a
to tlie liaiik
III luTc tlit'ie
of all kiinls.
ig the stores
LMal hahjs ui
I articles as

the wilder
arrows, and
ill the after
he hoat and

II eoiiipit'ti',
lethro, aflti
iita!\tii of a
i found thai

•ntered.
ed and fuf
r trading in
leoj'les lying
ythiiig ])]o
nr Kile, ami
en here for
t talk jMiie

Egyptian. I wondered why it was that f'higron was .such
a long time in inivking Ins choice l)et\veen the hoats, when,
as far as I could see, tliero were .scon's that would have
ccjually suited our purpose. Ihit I found afterwards that it
was the hoatnicn rather than th(5 hoat wliidi he was select-
ing, and that he cho.se those coming from far up the river,
jtartly because their speech <lil]"ered so widely from that of
Thehes that they wouM not detect the ronghni'ss of my
tongue; and .secondly, because they would be more likely
to continue the voyage farther to the south than would the
boatmen of this part, wlio would regard it as a serious
luidertaking to proceed beyond Ibsciak. 'I'lierefore we need
fear no suspicion on the part of our boatmen. 1 su[)pose
you disposed of the chariot as we arranged, Amuba?"

"Ye.s, I (hove north for five bonis and *ben turned aside
into a wood. Here I loosed the horses so that they could
feed as they chose. They \\-ould doubtless by morning stray
into the fields, and so attract attention, 'riieii there would
he a search to s«'e to whom they belonged, and the <-hai iot,
\\(»iild be found. \>y the tiiiu! that the news spreads that
I'lylus is dead, and also that his chariot and horses arc
missing and have doubtless been taken oil" ]>y those who
had attacked him, the tidings that the chariot is found will
have been taken to the nearest town, and it will shortly be
reported all over the country that we are making north, and
the search for u» will be made in that direction only."
"Are you going ])ack to the liouse, Jethrol"
"Y^cs. Chigron has given out to his servants that tlie
visitors are relatives of mine, and as I have been freciuently
seen going in and out in this garb they are now aeeiistonuMl
to me; and it will be natural for nie to sleep there tcvnight
and to start with them in the morning. We shall start
exactly at sunrise. You had better wait at a distance from
the house and follow us, coming up and joining us just as
we reach the river-side. The boat will be taken above the
city to the highest steps; and we shall be able to proceed
( 481 ) a

274

rrtF.i'AiiAi ION'S rnfj ri,r(;M/'.

to tliat point without ontorin^ tlm town itself. Vic. mf f .1
with your «lisi,'uiHOH, Thtr im;wh of tiio <lfiith of l't\ Ins will
not, 1 Ijojuj, \m f^'cnoiiilly known in tho city until wo ur»;
fairly afloat. Wt.ra it othnwiso it would he dan^cious f«r
you to run the risk of hoing Heen ahroiul."

CIIAITKR XVL

UI' Tin: NILE.

ATF*! at ni.^ht .Tf-tliro airnin wfiit ujt to tlio hiflin;^ plar.-
on the hilh ChiixiMti hiul just icturneil fioni anoth<i
visit to tlu! city. Ho sai'l :

" 'llu^ wh<»|(! of tho town is iti an upnt.ir. 'I lie news tLii
l*tyluH an<i his son have* ]uu-i\ found shiin has liorn jccfiivtil.
and tiio oxritcnicnt is ticmiMidous. Tho dent h hy vioh'nci' i.t
two lii^h-jtri(!stH of Osiris within so short a tinui is n'.!.;iinl('l

as a |>roKa'^'o of soukj tt!rril)le niitional mistorfiin*

Tli;it,

Ollr

shouM }iav« h('(!n slain was an ahnost uniiicccdt-ntod a<;t iin
insult of a tcnihic kind to the ,uods; hut this second ait <if
Hacrih'i;*) has almost niaddcnffj tlm jx-oplc S(»iik! rcL'anI it
as a jiid .;in<'iit, of ( )siiis, ami (h't-ui that, it is a pioof that, j^
a f(!W V(Miturod t(» whi-jH-r hrfoic, th<! d(;;itli of Anion's \\;i-
hrou'.dit aliout hy an intii_L^U(! anioiiL; a party of the pric-t-,
iio;id(d hy i'tyiiis. Otin-is sc(! in it a fresh proof of th<'

;;(;r oi the lmxI aLTiinst i\L:\|it.

'i'he k

%in;^ hinisi'lf will, it. is said, tak(; jmiL in scrvifc- of

propitiation in the 'I'eiiiph' of Hviiis tomorrow; saciifircs arr
to 1)0 ritl'orcd, they say, in all the temiilfs. A sohjiun fast will
ho [)ro(:lainied tomorrow, and all the pe(»pl(!, hij^h and low.
juo to shav(^ their eyelirows and to display the usual si^n-
of mouiiiin,!^. So far I lia\ •• heai'd nothing; as to the fa<t thai
two girls who wore in the house; are di.srovored to ho missing,

I UK I INAI, AI;|:.\M.|..MI MS.

•J 7:.

f. ]'»(• r.'jrrfi.l
"f I'fylii.s will
' iinfil we an;
'lan^uioua for

in st'ivicos nf
siiciiliccs aiv
l<Miin fast uii!
ii.L,'Ii and low,
o usual siuii-
' tlui fa<-t tlia:
^o be InissirlL^

liiit tomorrow, wIhh tlioMj wIk* wrrr in tlw liousu are
f|in;stioiH"l \>y fin- niau'isliiifrs, tliis ta't will «|oiil)t Irss conio
"lit, an<l flic ni'ii will own tli.it, hy the oidns of l't\ lii.s tlit^y
(adicil .M\-a awav ttt the tini<; the attatk on tiie lion.se wa.s

iiiailM.

'At present, liowfsvfT, tliero la no (jticstion of wmnnn fn
tliecuM;; ami I ean ;.,'o down to tlu! Ixiat with th(! i^irls in
<<»m|»;iny wifli ('liit:nin without any fear whatevt-r. Uut it
is hetter that \oii .iliould not he with ns when we emhai'lv ;
for wIm!I\ the /natter comes to he talked o\ei, .'-(unrude who
sees us einhark nii.^lit notiet' tiiat <iiir riinuher tailie<l with
that of the thnie persons present when I'tyhis was killed,
and the two missing twirls. 'I'lieicfore ( 'hiu'ion's opinion is
tliat it will h(5 safer for you to start at onee and walk to
Mit.i, a villa'^'e tuenty fniles up the river. 'J'liere tin! hoat
will lie up to iiiorrow ni.lit, and as soon as it is«huk you
e;iii cone' on hc'ird. I shall tell the hoatmen that 1 e.xperf,
)oiito join us tliere,as you ha\<' ;.'one on ahead to tiatisiu t
Some husiness for me in the neiL:hhonil.o(Mi."

"That is certainly the hest phiii," Amiiha a;4r<!ed. "There
are too many wIh) know Cliehion hy si;^lit for it to he safe
for luTii tft ^o (low n to the l>oat hen; and emhark in hioad
dayli^dit. I will take; two liours' sleep lief(»re I start; for as
I <iid not sleep last jnidit, and liavo walk<;d forty nnh-s since
I h'ft theeliariot, I h.-el in m.-ed of a litt le repos.' h(;fore I start
ii'j.dn. I was foolish not to have ^leiit this uflei'noon, for I
li.ive since midday lieen hidinic near; hut tluue was so mueh
to third< ahoiit that I ha(| no inclination to <Io so, esj)ecially
as I believed that we woidd have a id,Lrlit's rest herH."

"I will wako you," rhehron said. "I ha\e been asleefi
the better jiart of the day, havin-^' had nothin;.^ to do sinc<i

\\e arrived luMe y(

!sterd.

IV <;venniLr.

Chebron sat watcliini: the .-tars until lie saw that they
had made two hours' journev throuudi the skv. Then ho
voused Amuba, iJoth now laid aside their ;.'arments as
jiiasants and })ut on the attire prepared for them as the

!•)

ON THK IJANK oK TIIK UIVKH.

no?iH of a Hiiiiill trailer. Aiiiiilta Iiai) Hii1itiiitti>il, altlM))i<:1i
with ininii <lisLj;nsl, to liavo his hia<l shavnl on tht- iii^hi
followiiij^ the <h atli of AiiMMJ's, an*! it was u satisfaction to
hill) to |nit (tri a wiu'; for, a(«'iistoriio<l as lio was to sec thf
hare hrads of th(! jH-a-aiits, it was straJii:^ iiinl iiiji omfortal)!"'
to him to h(! ^ioiri'^' ahout in tlic- saiii«! fashion.

As soon HH tlicy wv.vv. (ln's>;('(l th<'y started, nia<h' tli'ii
way down to the l>ank of tlio river ahovc th(! town, aii'l
walkctl aloM'' the hi(.a<l (•aus<!wav hv th<^ stream until within a
mile or two of their destination. Then they tnrne(l oil' towards
a clumi) of trees whirh were visiMe hy the lirst <:;leam of
dawn a cjnarter (»f a mile away. ll<!re they slept tor .some
hours, and late in the afternoon returned to tin; side of the
river and strolled (|uictly alon,:^', watehiiiL,' the hoats. Those
in the mi<ldle of the stream were making,' their way down
with the current li;4litly and easily, the crews often sinuinj
merrily, rejoicing; over the approachin;^ mci'tiii:^ with their
friends after an ahseiiee of many week's. The hoats j^oiiiif
n|) the stream were all elose to the hank, the crews walking;
alon_;^' tiie causciway ;ind lahoiii'in.i^ at the tou ropes, for th(!ie
was not enough wind to render the sails of an\ utility in
hrcasting the stream. The craft w(;re of various kinds,
some shapeless and rinh'ly fashioned, useil in convciying
corn from the country hi_:i;her up down to Tliehes, anil now
returning empty. Others wei-e the fancifully-j»ainted lioats
of the wealthy, with conifoitahh! cahins arrd sails of many
colorns richly decorated and emhioidered. Th(!se were
ranying their owncsrs up or down the rivei', hetween their
country mansions and the city.

It was half an hour after sunset when the two friends
ar'rived at Mita. Darkness falls qin'ckly in Kgypt after tin!
Sim has gone down, and their features could scarcely hav(!
been recognized had they been met by anyone acrjuainted
with them in the streets The scene in the str-eets of the
little village was a busy one. Its distance from Thelies
rendered it a general halting-place for the night of the boats

(•(1, altliotiL'Ii
«»n the iii^ilii
iitisfiiction to
us to sec tln'
iiioiiifortuldi'

, Iliad*' til* ii
o town, aihl
until witliiii :i
'(I ofltowunls
rst };l('iirii of
cpt f(»r sonic
Hide of tlic
)Oiits. Those
ir Wiiy down
•ft en siiiLiin;.--
\'^ with tln'ii

Itouts "foiirj
tvws walkiii'j
pes, foi' there
my utility in
iiious kinds,
n conv(!vin''
l»cs, juul now
•iiintcd ])Oiits
nils of many

Th(!so well'
L'twocn tlicii

two friends
ypt after tlio
^carcely hav(!
acfjuainted
troets of the
From Thelies

of the boats

•*iii;i;i; aiik yoiic r.i;niii,.i:s."

•jr:

which had left the capital early, and a •{reat nuniher of
tlirsi; were aliiMdy moored oil the h.itdv, while «>tlierrt were
aiiiviri;:: in «pji(.'k succession, 'ihe hoatinen and passe n,:4'|-.s
ueie liusy niakin;4 their pun hascH at the shops; ti.^ln i finii,
with well tilled baskets, were shoutiii;^ the praises of tie ir
li>li; fowlers, with sti'iii,<,'s of du( ks and ^eese haiiL^iii^' fr'Mii
p. lies from their shouMers, were equally clamorous in olier-
iiiu' them for sale.

'I'hi! shops of tlio fruiterers and liakers and tlios(! (»f the
veiidoiH of the ve!4etaMes that formed so lar;;t! a |iortion of
the diet of the iv:ypt:aiis, were all crowded, and the wine-
sho|is weie doin;^' a brisk b;isine.s.s.

Chebron and Aniuba made tlieir way thiou'^h the busy
scene, keepin.L? a sharp look-out for .bthio, for they con>id-
cred it ceilain, that owini^ to the early start the boat was
to make that it would ha\e arrived therc^ sonu! houis before,
and that he would be on \h-, lookout for them. In a few
iiiiiiut(!s they saw him lookin;.,' into one of tiie shops, lie
-taitt.'d as they went up to him ainl touched him, for he
luid not p(!rceiv(Ml tlujm b«,'foie.

"All well?" Amuba asked.

" Mveiythiiii; has L;oiie oH" adiiiiral»ly. We L,'ot, o(T without
tlie slightest trouble. Ihit come on boanl at once; the ^^'irls
iiie anxious about you, althou:;h I assured them that there
was not the slightest risk of your being discovered on your
\v;iy here."

So sayi"frt,% Jethro led the way to the lioat, wliii h was
iiioore(l by the bank a hundre(l yards above tJie villa^^'e, "in
"idur," .lelhro said, "that they c(;uld make an early start iri
tli(! morniiiij, and bo oil' bctfore the re.>t of the boats were

'o>

under way.

"Here are your brothers," .lefliro said in a loud voice as
he stepped on l)oard. "1 found them dawdling and gossip-
I'iiig in the street, forgetting altogether that you were wait-
ing for your evening meal until they canu; on board."

JJoth entered the ci.bin, which w as about ei^lit feet wide and

J78

IT uoi:s fi:i;l hu.mki.iki:.

Wl:;

twolve fcot long, Imt not hi^h onoti^'li foi' tlioin to stand iip-
ii,i;lit. Tlie Hoor was sprcufl willi a thick carpiit; cusliioiis
ami i)illo\vs wcro arrangod iilouis, oacli side, and tliick niat-
tinj^ hiin.!^ from tlie toi). In tlio da^tinio tin's was rolled
up and fastened, so that the air conld j)lay throuL,di the
'jahin, and those within could look out at the river; hut at
present it closed the openin•,^s, and kept out hoth the nii^ht-air
and the glances of passers-liy. At the other end was a door
oj)eniug into the smaller cahin allotted to the girls. A lamp
swung from the beams overhead. Mysa gave a cry of plea-
sure as they entered, and was about to spring to her feet
when .lethrc exclaimed:

"Mind your head, child! You are not accustomed to
these low (luarters yet."

"Thatd^: the gods we are together ag.'tin!" Mysa said,
as Chebron, after emlmuing her, sat down on the cuslnon
beside her. *'I feel almost h;ip[)y now, in spite of the
dreadful times that have passed."

"It does feel homelike hero," Chebron said, looking
round, "especially after sleeping in the oju-n air on the
hard ground, as we have been doing for the last month."

"1 should hardly have known you, Anuiha," Mysa said.
" You do look so dillerent in your wig, and with your skin
darkened."

"1 must look horrible," Amuba replied rather ruefully.

" You don't look so nice," Mysa replied frankly. " I
used at first to think that short, wavy, golden hair of youis
was strange, and that you would look better in a wig like
other people; but now I am sorry it has gone."

"Here is our meal," Jethro said, as the hangings that
served as a door were <lrawn aside, and one of the men
entered bearing a dish of fried fish and anotluM- of stewed
ducks, which he placed on the floor.

Jethro produ<;ed some cups and a jar of wine from a locker
in the cabin, and then the men, l»y ins orders, brought in a
jar of water for the use of the girls. Then sitting round the

A ClIANiJK OF NAMi;S.

•J 7 9

ccustoiiicd to

from a locker

(lislies tlnjy began tlicir moal, Jctliro cuttiiiii; u[) tlie food
with his dagger, and iill liel|iii)g tlicniselves with tlie aid of
their fingers and pieces of l)iead, that served tlusni for the
purpose of forks. Mysa liad Im-cji accustomed always t(> the
u^e of a table; but these were only us(!d in the abodes of
tiie rich, and the people in general sat on tin; ground to
tiieir meals.

"We have not ])egun our h.ird.diips yet," Mysa saiil,
siiiilinic. "I should not mind how loU'' tiiis went on. 1
call this much better than living in a house; don't you,
Uuthf

"It is more natural tome than that great house of yours,"
Ruth replied; "and of course to nie it is far more homelike
;iiid comfortable. For I do not tiiink I was a favourite among
the other servants; they were jealous of the kindness you
showed me."

" There is one thing I wanted to say," Jethro said. " It
is better that we should not call each other by our names. I
am sure that the boatmen have no suspiri(»n heie tiiat we
iire other than what we .seem to be; but tlu*y can liaidly help
liearing our names, for all Kgypt has rung witii them for the
lust montii, and it would be well if we .Jiange them for the
present. Vou nmst of necessity call me father, sinct; that
is the relation I am supposed to bear to you. Amuba can
become Amnis, and Chebron Chefn."

"And I will be Mytis," Mysa said. " ^^'hat name will you
take, Kufcti? There is no Kgyptian name quit*; like yours."

"It matters not what you call me," lluth sai<l.
* We vv'ill call you Xite," Mysa said. " I had a great
f)ien<l of that name, but she died."

"And there is onp. thing, Nitc," Cheltron said, "that I
wish you to under.>tan<l. .lust now you sj)oke to me as my
lord Chel>ron. That sort of thing mu>t not be any longei'.
\Vc are all fugitives together, and Mysa and I have no longer
any rank. Jethro and Amuba are of high rank in their
own country, antl if wc ever get safely to their own people

280

ruth's story.

i I

i;! it

lliey will he noliles in the liiiid, vliile we sliall he hut
strangers, as he was whon he and .Icthro came into Kgypt.
Therefore any talk of rank among us is init folly. AVe are
fugitives, and my life is forfeited if I am discovered
in my own land. Jetliro is our leader and guardian,
alike l)y tiie will of our father and hecause he is older and
wiser than any of us. Amuha is as my elder hrother, heiiig
strong(!r and hraver and more accustomed to danger than 1;
wliile you and J\lysa are sisters, inasmuch as you are hoth
exiled from your own land, and are friendless, save for each
other and us."

" I am glud to hear you say that, hrotlier," Mysa said. " I
spoke to her last night al)Out it, for she would insist on
treating me as if she were still my servant; wliich is ahsurd,
and not mce of her, when she is going out with us to share
our dangers only hecause she loves me. It is I lather who
should look up to her, for I am very helpless, and know
nothing of work or real life, while she can do all sorts of
things; hesides, when we were captives it was she who was
always hrave and hoi)eful, and kei)t up my spiiits when, I <lo
think, if it had Tiot hecn for her I should have died of grief
and terror."

"l^y the way," Jethro sai<l, " wu have not heard yet how
it was that you wore to'j^cther. We heard of vour heiui'
carried olF, but old Lyptis told me that no one had seen
aught of you."

"They were all scared out of their senses," Ruth said
scornfully. "The men suddenly ran into the room and
seized Mysa, and twisted a shawl round her head hefore she
had time to call out. I screamed, and one of them struck
me a blow which knocked me down. Then thoy carried her
otf. 1 think I was stunned for a moment. When I recov-
ered I found they were gone. I jumped up and ran along
the ])assage and through the hall, where the women were
screaming and crying, and then out of the house through the
garden, and out of tln^ i^iite- Then I saw four men at a

slj.ill he but
J into Egypt,
ly. A\'e are

I discovered
d guardian,
is older and
rother, l)eiii''
nger than 1;
ion are both
ave for eacli

rsa said. " I
Id insist on
h is absurd,
us to sliarc
rather wlio
, and know-
all sorts of
he who was
■5 when, I do
lied of grief

ird yet how
your being
e had seen

Ruth said

room and

before she

[lem struck

carried her

en I recov-

ran along

^men weie

I I rough the
men .'it a

YOU ACTtD liKAVKLY AM) WKI.l,"

li81

sliort distance off carrying Mysa to a cart standing a liun-
(liod yards away. I ran uji just as tlicy laid her in it One
of them turned upon me with a dagger. I said:

-' J.et me go with her, and I will be quirt. If not, I will
scream; and Tf you kill me, it will only set the pco[>le on
your ti'aces.

" The men hesitated, and I ran past them and climbc<l
into the cart, and threw myself down by Mysa, and then
they drove olT."

"It was brave and good of you, liuth," Jctln-o said, laying
his hand on the girl's shoulder; "but why did you not
scream wIk'u you first came out of the gate] It might have
hronght aid, and prevented Mysa from being carried oil"."

"I thought of that," IJuth said, "but there were numbers
of rough men still coming in at the gate; and knowing how
the people h;td been stiirtnl up to anger against us, I did not
know what might happen if I gave the alarm, besides, I
was not sure at first that these men, ;dtliough they seemed
so rough and violent, were not really friemls, who were
taking away Mysa to save her from the popular fury."

" Yes, that might liavo been the cast'," detliro agreed.
"At any rate, child, you acted bravely and well. We were
lio[)ing all along that you were with Mysa, for we knew
what a comfort you would be to her. ^hily, as the women
all declared you did not pass out after her, we did not see
how that could be. And now, Mytis and Nite, you had better
rt'tire to your own cabin to rest; for though you have l)oth
ki'pt up wondeifully, all this has been a great strain for you,
and you are both looking fagged and heavy-eyed. To iiiiiht
you can sleep in comfort; for, for the present, I think that
there is no occasion whatever for the sliij;htest anxiety.''

It was some time before Jethro and his coniiianions lay
•lown to sleep. They talked long and earnestly of the journey
that lay before them; and when they had exhausted this
topic, Chebron said:

"Till now, Jethro, I have not asked you a1)out my father's

2SJ

(jiii:i;iiuN s yuKSTKjN.

I ,ii

funeral. Wlien is it to ])C? I liavc tIion;^lit of it oftnn, but
as you did not sjteak 1 tliougiit it better not to question
you."

"I was fj^lad you did not," Jotliro replied. "It will he
in about ton days' time. As I belicive you guessed, Chigron
is enibaiinini; him; tlm process will not bo completed for
another four «layH, and, as you know, the relatives do not
see the corpse after it is in the hands of the embalnicr
until it is swathed ajid in the collin. Chigron has done so
nnieh that must have Ixjen a''ainst his conscience that I
did not like liim to be asked to allow you to break throui^h
that custom, which to him is a sort of reli^i^ion ; besides, dear
liul, I thought it better for yourself not to renew your griefs
by gazing on a lifc^icss face.

" During the last month you have fortunately had so
much to distract your tiiought that you have not had time
to dwell upon your loss. iVIoreover, you have needed all
your strength and your energy for your search for your sister,
and right sure am I that your father, who was as sensihie
as he was wise — an<l tin; two things do not always go together
—would be far belt(!r pleased to see you energetic and active
in your search for your sister, and in j)r<;paration for this new
life on which we an; ent(!ring, than in vain regrets for him;
therefore, lad, for every reason I thought it better to keej»
silent upon the subject. It may be a satisfaction, howevei,
for you to know that everything will bo done to do honour
to the dead.

"The king and all the great men of Kgypt will be present,
and Thebes will turn out its thousands to »!Xj»r(!ss its grief
for the deed done by a section of its population. Had it.
not been for the expniss commands of your father I should
have thought that it might have been worth while for you
to present yourself on that occasion, and it may be that for
once even the fanatics would have been satisfied to have
pardoned the oli'ence of tin; son because of the wrong done
to the father. However this allair of Ptylus puts that out of

'IMK Ml.r, I'.OATMK.N,

'2s:]

it ofton, hut

to CJUCStioM

"It will be
sod, Chi^^Ton
)iMi)l(.'t(Hl for
tives do not
le einW.'ilinor

has done so
ionc(! that I
•cak through
besides, dear
V your griuls

iitcly had so
lOt had time
c needed all
»r your sister,
8 as sensible!
s no toLTctlier
.ic and active;

I for this new
rets for hin»;
I'tter to kec]!
on, howevei,
to do honour

II be present,
>n!ss its griet
ion. Had it
Lhcr 1 sliouM
rthile for you
y be that for
^ficd to iiave
) wroni' done
ts that out of

tlifi (juestion, for wIkju it is L^cMciaiiy known th;ii Mysa was
cirricd oil" when Ttylus was slain, public opinion will arrive
!it the truUi an<l sav tliat the fu'j;itiv(;s <»f whoui thev were
ill search, the slayers of lIk; sarred cat, were the rescuers of
the daughter of Anienvs ;ind the shiyers of the high-priest."

" Vou are right, .lethro, it will be b(;ttei' for me not to
have seen my faflnu'; 1 can always think of hiru now as I
.siw him last, which is a thousand time-. hcthT than if he
dwelt in my memory as he lies in the cete chjthes in the
einbalnn'ng room of Chigron. As to what you say about
iny appearing at the funeral, I wouhl in no case have done
it; 1 would a thousand times rather live an exile or mcjet my
ileath at the iiands of savages than crave mercy at the hands
of the mob of Thelxis, and live to be poififed at all my life
;is the man who had committed the abhorred ollence of
killini' the vsacred cat."

The conversation in the cabin had all Ixm-u carried on in
uu undertone; for although through an opening in the cur-
tains they could .see the crew — who had heen (lating their
iii(!al by the light of a torch of resinous wood, and were now
wrai)t up in thick garments to keep oil' the night dew- chat-
ting merrily together and occasionally breaking into snat( lies
of song, it was prudent to sp<;ak so that not (!V(!n a chance
word should be overlxjard. The boatmen, indeed, were in
high spirits. Their homc! lay far up near the borders of
r|>|»er Kgypt, and it was seldom indeed that they obtained
a job which gave them the chanc*; of visiting tluiir friends.
Thus the en-'a^ement was most satisfactory to them, for
although their leader had haggled over the terms he and
tliey would gladly have accepted half tin; rate of pay rather
than let such an opportunity slip. As ('hebron finished
sjieuking the}' were prepaiing for the night by laying down
a fiiw mats on the boards of the fore-deck. Then they
huddled closely together, ))ulled another mat or two over
them, extinguished the torch, and composed themsc'lvc^ to
sleep.

284

A BATHE PKorOSKD.

"We will follow their example; but a little more com-
fortably, I hope," Jetliro said.

The cushions ami })iliows were arraii,L;e(l, the lamp turnctl
low, and in a short time all on board the boat were sound
asleep. IS'o ray of light had enteied the cabin when Amuba
was awakened by a movement of the boat, caused by a stir
among the crew. He felt his way to the door and threw
back the hangings and looked out; there was a faint greenish
}ellow light in the east, but the stars were still shining
brightly.

"Good morning, young master!" the captain said. "I
liope you have slept well."

"So well that I could hardly believe it was moining,"
Anuiba re[>lied. How long will it be befon; you are olF?"

"We shall be moving in ten minutes; at present there
is not light enough to see the shore."

"Chefu, are you awake?"

" Yes," Chebron answered sleepily, " I am awake ; thanks
to your talking. If you had lain quiet we might have slept
for another hour ytit."

"You have had plenty of sle'bp the last twenty-four
hours," Amuba retorted. "Take a cloth and let us land
and run along the ban!:s for a mile, and have a bathe before
the boat comes along."

" It is very cold for it," Chebron said.

"Nonsense! the water will refresh you."

" Come along, Chefu," Jethro said, " your brother is right;
a dip will refresh us for the day."

The Egyptians were most i)articular about bathing and
washiui'. The heat and dust of the climate rendered clean-
liness an absolute necessity, and all cla.^ses took their tlaily
bathe — the wealthy in baths attached to their houses, the
poor in the water of the lakes or canals. Jethio and the
two lads leapt ashore and ran briskly along the bank for
about a mile, stripped and took a })lunge into the river,
and were dressed again just as the boat came along with

BREAKFAST.

28.-)

e more com-

)thcr is riglit;

the four men towing her, and the captain ptcoring with an
oar at tlie stern. It was li<zlit enough now for hiui to (lis-
tinguish the faces of liis i)assengers, and he l)rouglit tiie
hoat straight alongside tiie bank. In a few minutes tlie
i;irls came out from tiieir ca])in, looking fresh and rosy.

"So you have been batliing]" Mysa said. "We licard
what you were saying, and we have had our ))ath too."

"How did you nianage that?" Chebron asked.

"We went out by the door at the otiier side of our cabin
in our woollen robe-s, on to that little j>latform on which
tlie man is standing to steer, and poured jars of water over
each other."

"And you both slept well ?"

"Yes, indeed, and without waking once till we heard
Aiiinis call you to get up."

"You disturbed every one, you see, Amnis," Chel)ron
said.

" And a very good thing too," Amuba laughed. " If w««
had not had our bath when we did, we should not have got
an oj)portunity all day. Now we all fed fresh."

" And ready for something to eat," Mysa put in.

"What would you like, Mytisl" I\uth asked. "I am a
cajjital cook, you know, and I don't suppose the men will
be preparing their breakfast for a long time yet."

"I think that will be a very good ])lan, ^lytis," Jethio
said; "but wo will divide the labour between us. The two
hoys shall stir up the brands mouldering on the flat stone
hearth forward, I will clean and get ready some Msh,
Xite shall cook them, while Mytis sliali, under lier directions,
make us some cakes and [)ut them into the hot ashes to bake.
We shall have to shift for ourselves later on. 'J'here is
nothing like getting accustomed to it. Of course the men
will cook the princii)al meals, but we can prepare little meals
between times. It is astonishing how many limes you can
eat during the day when you are in the open air.''

In half an hour the meal, consisting of the fish, light

280

A PI.KASANT TIMR

(lotiL'h-ralvns, vliich Mysa li.'id with nnirh amusmont 1)T(i-
parcil imdrr llutli's diicctions, and fmit was rea<ly. 'llio
latter consisted of ^rajie.s and melons. The meal was greatly
enjoyed, and by the time it was tinislnjd the sun was already
some distane(! up the sky. For an hour the j>arty sat nn
the deck forward watehini^ the Ixtats coming down the
stream and the villages on the oi>i)osite shore; but as tlit-
sun gained power they were glad to enter into tlie cahin.
The mfits W(;ie rolled up now to alli»w a free passage "f
air, and as they sat on the cushions they could look out on
both sid(!s.

Day after day passed quietly and smoothly. The men
generally tow<id the boat from sunrise until eleven o'elo( k
in the day, then they moored her to the bank, preparer 1
a meal, and after eating it went ashore if there were trees
that atl'orded a shade there, or if not, spreail out some mats
on ]>oles over the boat and sl<!pt in their shade till tliK e
o'clock. Then thoy towed until sunset, moored her for tlir
night, cooked their scMiiiid meal, talked and sung for an
hour or two, and then lay down for the night. Sometimes
the wind blew with suflieient strength to enable the boat tn
stem the stn.am close inshore by means of the sail alone;
then the boatmen were jierfeetly happy, and spent their day
in alternate eating and sleeping. (Jenerally the j)assengei's
landed and walked alongside of the boat for an liour or twd
after they had had their early breakfast, and again when
the heat of the day was over; it made a change, and at the
same time kept their muscles in a state of health and a< -
tivity.

" We may have to m;ike long journeys on foot," Jethio
sai<I, " and the more we can accustom ourselves to walking
the better."

The time passed so quietly and pleasantly that both Mysa
and Chebron at times blamed themselves for feeling as light-
nearted as they did; but when the latter once said so to
.lethro he replied:

THE Kol'TK TO UK F(>IJ.( »\V KI>.

2S7

"Do not )>e unousy on that score. Ivcmnnlirr tliut in
the first phico it is u comfort to us all that you and your
sister are cheerful coinjianious. it makes the journey lighter
for u& In the next plaee, uood sj)irits and j^ood iiealth ^'o
together; ami although, at present, our life is an easy one,
there will he need for liealth and sticngth presently.
This llight and exile are at pres** it hlcssings rather than
misfortunes to you. .' >st as Amuha's captivity following
so closely upon the death of his falh(!r and mother was to
him."

"I can hardly believe," ^^ysa saitl, "that we are really
going upon a dangerous (ixpeilitioti. Everything is so pleas-
ant and traiupiil. Tin' <hiys pass without any care or trouble.
I find it dillicult to believe that the tinu; is Tiot very far oil
when we shall have to cross deserts, and perhiips to meet
savage beasts and wild people, and ht; in danger of our
lives."

"It will be a long time lirst, Myti.s. It will be months
before we arrive at .Meroe, the capital of the next l<ingd(»ni,
which lies at the junction of the two great arujs of this
river. Up to that point I do not think then- will be dangers,
though there mi\y be some little dilliculty, for they sny
there are tremendous rapids to bo passed. It is only lately
that the king overian Mrroe, defeated it ^tuies, and foiced
it to pay tribute;, but as there is a consid> .J»le trade carrie<l
on with that country I <lo not thiidt there is any danger of
mole.station. It is on leaving Meroe that our dillicultirs
will commence; for, as I hear, the road thence to the east
through the city of Axoum, which is tin; capital of the
country named Abyssinia, passi-s through a wild land
al)ounding with savage animals; and again, bcMmd Axoum
the country is broken and dillicult <lown to the sea.

"Chigrou toM me, however, that In; had heard from a
native of Meroe who had worked for him that there is a far
shorter road to the sea from a j)oint at which the river takes
a great bend many hundreds of miles below the capital.

'JSM

TIIK NM.K VAI.I.r.V.

W Ih'Ii wo ^'f't lii;.'hf'r up w*; can of c(»im-(! rriukf; in<|niiir's as
to tlii.s, 1 Iimjk; iliat, it may jnovc to \)v, true, fur if ho, il
will Ka\c UH inoutliH of tiavfl."

Sov(jr;il lai';.'o towns wen; passod as tlicy jouriKiyc*! up
wanls. Ilt;rnioritlii.s, f^t;Ml•lill^' on tin; wcstj-ni l)ank, \>\
which tlioy wen; ttavollin;.', was thf; first passed. TlifM canM-
Ivsnch, with ;^'ran«l t(;nip|i'S (hidiratcd fo Kncph ajid Ncith.
arnl standin;,' where the Nile valley oi^eiis to a width of li\r
miles. 'j'li(,'ri they p;issed Kilithya, standing,' on the oastcui
hank, witii many tcnij»|«!s liiin;.' ahove it, and with tlw sand
stone rock he.hind it <h»tf<-d with the entritnces to scpuhlirc-.

A few miles hiuhcr up they passed Jvlfu. Ahove tiiis the
vaHey gradually nairowed, the hills elosini^' in until they
ro.so almost perpendieularly from tlu; «'dL.'(' of tin* stieain.
Here were temjdes erected sjierially for the w<»rshi|t of tlif
Nile, and of his emhiem the erocodih;. It appturcd to tip
'■'^'yptians the most approj)riat(! |ilare for the W(»rshipof tip
river, which seemcid Inue to oceujiy the wlioh; width <.l
K^'ypt. Here, too, W(!re vast (|ua»ri('S, from which the ston'
was oxtraetcd for the huildui^ of most ol tin; t('mpl(;s of
Upper K'Ayvt.

Sixteen miles hi;_dier Omhi was passed, with its great
temple in honour of tin; eroeodihv headed god Sf-hak. AIoiil'
this part of the river the eoiuitry was comparatively barren,
and tlie villages small and far ajmrt. In the narrow places
the river at times ran so rapidly that it was lUM-essary to
liire a rnmibcr of peasants to assist the hoatmen to drag thr
boat against tlie stream, and the progress made each day
was V(!ry sliglit.

I-'our days after leaving Om})i they arrived at Syeru;,' \>\
far the largest town they had come to since leaving 'i'hehe.-.
1'liis brought the first stag*; of their journey to an end.
Hitherto they had been travelling along a traii(|uil river,
running strongly at times, but smooth and e\(!n. liefore them
tliey had a succession of cataracts and rapids to pass, ami a

'The iiMxIern AsHoiiiui.

svr.NK.

2>0

(; in<|iniH;s as
, l'(»r if HO, it

i-it,li its ^'.••(■;it
■>«,'l)uk. A ion,'
lively barroii,
natrow phiccs
i iHM-fssury to
;ii to driiL,' till-
i;ulo eucii <lii\

(niiniry to travnrso wliidi, all lion :li oftofi su1tjii;^at«''l, wm*^
r'liitiniially risirii,' UL^iiii.-f thi- iioucr of lv_'.v|»t.

At Sycrni tli(!y rcinaijKvl for tlin-p «lay

'I'l

my won

1.1

Lfli'lly }iav<! jHisJicij on without "irj.iy, for altIioii;;li tin;
l/.'Vptian antliority oxtcmhid fnrtlifi nj» tli<: livrr, SyciM-
wa.-i the last town wht-n; tho ^ovcijior would concTn hinisflf
with the air.iirs of Iv-'ypt, or whcrr fn^itivoH from jnstiri-

\\fr<'. likt'Iy to ho arr<;st«'d. However, as it was cnHtom, uy
\>> ^ivr; hoatnien a few days of rej)ose aftci' tlp-ir lahonr,

a'i<

1 her

ore un«

liMtal

iiU'j the

still

more sever*; work 'vhidi

l;iy hefore theni, .Jt;thro thought it better to avoid any
apjiearariee of haste.

'i'l

lerc was innch to be Been that was n','W to tht-rn at

Sy(!rie. A ^^reat trade was carried on with Ab-roe. i\b)st of
flie in(,'r(:h;i its en^a'_'<'d in it dw(dt here, bnyin;^ on the on<'
Imnd the i»."odiu;ts of rpper and Lower I'i;<yi>t and sending:
• T takini,' them n|) the river, and on tho other hand biiyiiiL,'
th"' products of Mffoe and desjiatehin^ th'-ni to Tiiehes.
The* st.r(;(!ls were (illed with .'i mingled population. I'',L'yptiaiis
with their spothiss <^armerits and frampiil mien; ne-rrhants
;ili-orbed in business; oliicers and soldiers in lai'^'c number-;,
fur Syene was an important military sfatiftn; ofliri.d-^ bclon;^;
in.: to the t^'n-at (juarries nc; ir, and L^'an.i^s of slaves of many
nationalities workin.'j; nmh-r their orders.

Wilddookin,:.,' fi^uin-s nu>ved anionic' tlu" crowd, th*ir ^'ar-
iiienls, thrown loosely round them, ailbrdiuL!; a stiikiii,:.; con-
trast to th(! cleanness of those of the K^'vptians, wliiN;
their unkempt hair was in e<|uall\' stron.'^^ contrast to the
jirecise wi;^s of th<^ middh'-cla>;s I'lLryptiaiis and tie' bate
heads of the low<!r class. Their skins, too, were nuieh darkcu*
in colour, tliou-'h there was consideruljlo variation in this

rrs

[)ect.

moni; tnem were a H])rinKi!nL; ot men or an en

tirely difrereiit ty[)C, almost black in hue, with thicker lips
and Hatter features. Tlieso w(!re I'lthio|iians, whose land lay
h-yond that of Meroo, and who had also felt the weight and
}<ower of the arms of K^ypt.

( 4,«.l ; T

290

TiiK onujiN CF Tin: E(;yftians.

1!^

"Thosn poojilo of >T(>rop," AtiiM^ta s.-iid, "arn vnry siniihir
in foaturo to tho Kiryjttiaiis, (Jiio'jroii. And thuir toiij^ue is
also not tnilil<(« yours; 1 can mi'lcrsfaml tli<ir sjumm'Ii."

"Ouroldust l)ook>4," Aiiml>a said, "say tliat \v(5 aro kindifl
I»noplo, ami an; Asiatic raflicr tliau African in our orii^in.
Tlio pt'opio of iMcrou say that tUvAV far-hack aniN'stors cuiii":
from Aral)ia, and lirst sjnoailin^ al(»n;^ tlm western sli«»r<! (»f
tlu! Itc'd Sea, ascended to tlm )ii'j;li lands and drovu out tlio
black peo|ilo who itdialtited tlieni.

"As to our own origin, it is va'_'ue; 1»nt my father h;is
told mo that tho o[)ini()n aino!i'^' tlios(5 most skilled in tli"
ancient learning is that w<! too camo from Arahiii. Wf
wore not all ono i)eo|ile, that is certain; and it is com-
paratively of recent years, thouLrh a vast tinio as far :i>
human lives f;o, that the j»e(»jij(« of the Thehaid — that is, nf
Upper Ku;yi>t -extended their dominion over Low(!r Kizypt,
and ma<le the whole countiy one nation, luen now, \nii
know, th*! kiiiL,' wears two crowtis the one of Upper Iv-ryi't,
the other of the lower country. Aloiii^' the shores of tlic
Gieat Sea to the west are Lyhians and other peoples similur
in race to ourselves. My father eonsiiUjred that tin; tiihts
which first came from Asia pressed on to the W(»st, drivim;
hack or exterminating tho hiack [Kioplo. Kach fresh wave
that camo from tho east pushed the otluns further ami
further, until at last the ancestors of the peo[>lc of Lower
Egypt arrived a!id settled there.

" In ^^eroo the temples and religion are similar to our
own. Whether they brought that religion from Arabia, or
whether we i)lanted it there during our various con(|uests of
the country, I cannot tell you; but certain it is that there is
at present but little more dilFerence between Upper Kgypt
and Meroo than there is between Upper Kgyi)t and the
Delta."

" And beyond Meroo tho people are all black like those
wo see here?"

"So I l)elievo, Amuha. Our merchants penetrate vast

ro vory .simil.ir
tliiiir t()li;^iH' is

MjKM'cIl,"

wo jin; kindtt 1
ill our ori^'iii.
iiiccsfors cuiii"
f'stcj'ii slmrt' i>f
(Irovo out tilt'

iny fiitlicr li.is

skillcl ill tip.

Ai;il)i;i. \\ .'
iiid it is coin
iiiio as far us
itl — that is, nf

Lower Kizypf,
iVon now, y<\\

npjior Kv'yi't.

shores of the
|ipitj)I('s similar
»hat the trih.s
5 w<'st, driviii;'
ich fresh w.ivi'
■s finthor ainl
()|)lc of Lower

similar to our
om Arabia, or

13 COIKjUests of

is that then! is

Upper Kgyi-t

gypt and the

lack like those

penetrate vast

A VAST gl'AUIlY.

•J'.l 1

(listannc to the soiith exrhangiii}^ our proiluets for p>hl ami
ivory, ami everywhere they tiiid tlu! rountry inliahit(!il hy
hlmk |K!ople living in wretched villages, without, as it scmiih,
atiy government, or law, or ordtu", waging war with Cinh
other and making slaves, whom they also sell to our mer-
chants. They diir«'r so wholly from us that it is certain that
we cannot ((tme from the same stock. Hut they an; strong
and active, and make; excellent slaves. Lying between
Mcroe and the sciu, the c(»untry called Ahyssinia is aUo
inhaljited hy a ra^e of Arab blood, but ditlering more from
us than those of Meroe.

"They have great towns, but I <lo not think that their re-
ligion is tho sam<! as oiu's; our traders say that their languago
can b«! understood by them, alfhough more rough and un-
jtolished. I hav(; lu^ard my father say that In; considered
that all the country lying east of the Nib;, and of its east(;rn
braneb that rises in Abyssinia and is called the Tacazze,
belonics to Asia rather than to Africa."

Tiie piirty fouuil that t!ie death by violence of two suc-
cessive high priests ()f Osiris was one of th(5 j)rincipal topics
of conv(!rsation in SyciKj, but none appeare(' to think that
there was the; r(!niotest piobability of any concerne<l in those
oc(;urr(!nees making for the south. However, dethro thought
it )>ru<l(!nt that tli(5 whole l>arty should not land together,
and therefore Amuba and ( 'hebron usually went one way,
and be with the girls another. They paid visits to the
sacred island of Kbo opposite the town, and to tlu; (piarrits
of IMiile, f«»ur miles away. Here they saw the gangs of
slaves cutting out colossal statues, obelisks, and shrines
from the solid rock.

First the outline was traced on the rock, then the sur-
rounding stone was removed with chisels and wedges, and
at last the statue or obelisk was itself severed from the
rock. Then it was hewn and sculptured by the masons,
placed on rollers ami dragged by hundreds of men down to
the landinir-olace below the ra|)ids, and these placed on rafts

•J!) J

SLAVK LAi;()ii:i:its.

to be floaUs'l down tho rivor to its dostinutioii. 'I li''}' saw
iiiiuiy of tlicso niasst.'H of Ktorio in all stairs of iiiariiifactiip'.
'I'll*! nmnbor of slavf'S cniployffl wan cnorrnoiis, and tll(^-o
inhabited ;,'roa,t l)iiildin'j^.s elected near tin; (|iiaiilfs, when-
also wor(! barracks l'f)i' tin; t,roo]).H wlio k('|if, ;_'u;ud ovci- tlicm.

WatcliiiiL; tlu) slaves at their jtainfiil labour, dethio and
Ainid)a wer(; both lillod with gratitude at the l^oikI foitunc
that had placed then, with Anuires instead of sencUiiL,' them
to pass th(!ir lives in such nnceasin^ and monotonous toil.
Ainon;:^ th*; slaves were s(!V(;r'al whom, }>y tlieir comph.'xion
and appearance, tliey jiid^^ed to ))e b'ebu. As at lii.^t all tho^<!
brought to Iv-rypt had been (b'stril)Uted am(»n^ the jtrie.-it:.
and great odieers, they supposed that either from ol)stinacy,
misconduct, or from attem[)ts to e,scape, they had incurrc<l
the displeasure of their masters, and had been handed over
by thom for the service^ of the state.

Had th(i slaves been in the hands of ])rivate masters, .Tethru
and Amuba, who were filled with |»ity at seeing their countiy
men in such a stat*;, would liave (uideavourecj to purchase
them and take them with th' i upon their jouiney. Thi.
was out of the question now, nor was it possible to liold any

communication wi
)f

th tl

lem. or

sum of money to allevi

ate tl

to 1

)resen

t th

itl

H!m witli a snial

i(!ir mis(!ry, without excitin;'

suspicion. 'I'ho whoh; |)art,y wen; heartily L^lad when on the
mornin,;.^ of the fourth (hiy aft(ir theii- arrival the boat wa>
pusluid off from tlie shore, and the work of ascencbng the
lapids began.

CIIAPTEM XVIL

OUT OF KGYI'T.

rilllE river had ))egnn to rise before they le.'t Tliebos, and

JL although it had not yet reached its In'ghest point a

gi(!at volutin! of water was pouring down; aii<i the boatmen

'I hi: (JATAIiA(JT,S.

L^'J3

Tlicy SMW
tii;uinf;i<:tijii'.

IS, iUld tl )(•-(;

airii-s, uluMf
nl M\('r tlifiii.
, .Icthi'o ;uiii

,!^()'i(l frMtlMir
S('l|(lili;_r tllt'Ill

lotoiioii.-i toil,
r coinpK.'xion

fir>l all tlio.M;
■J, tli(j jtriu.-it.^
)Mi obsLiiKicy,
i I Jill iMcurr*,"!

handed over

Jistcr.s, Jctliio
litiir country
to j)urc}iaM'
•iirnoy. Tln;,
(! to hold any
. with a small
hout (iXcitiiiL'
I u Ii('n on tlif
tin; hf)at was
isccndin;' iht;

. Thobos, and
lu'st })oint a
the boatmen

a-siircd Jothro tliat thoy would bu abh; to ascend the cata-
iai;t without difliculty, wluireas when the Nile was low there
ua.s often great danii;er in passing, and at times iiuleed no
limits coul<l make tiio passage. Ten men were engaged
in addition to the crew to take the boats up beyond the
Lipids.

iJut although assured that there was no (banger th<! girls
declared that they would rathei' walk along the l)ank, for
the. hurry and rush of the mighty Hood, ••.^j/ig Kometinn;s
i:i short angry waves, were certainly tiying to the riiu'ves.
• hihro and the lads of course aci-ompaiiied them, and Home-
times seizetl the rope and added their weight whtni the force
of the stream brought the men towing to a stand-still and
eem(;d as if it would, in spite of their ellorts, tear the boat
Horn their gras[). .At last the top of the ra])ids was gaine<l,
ami they were glad to take their jjlaces ag^^in in the boat as
-lie floated on the (juiet watfT. So a mouth pas-^cd — some-
times taken along by favourable winds, at other.; being towed
along (juiet waters close to the shore, at ofluirs battling with
the furi(jus rapiils. They found that the cataract they had
tiist passed was as nothing to those higher u[). Iliu'e the
uhole cargo had to be unloaded and caii'ifid up to the top
of the rapids, and it needed somt; forty men to drag the
'iiipty boat thiough th(; tui'iuoil of wa,t<!i's while often the
-lightest error on the part of The helmsman would have
caused the boat to be dashed t(> pieces on the gif.'at rocks
iising in the midst of the channel. I5ut b(;foie aniving at
tiie second cataract they had tarried for s(!V(;ral da}s at
ll»M;iak, the city to which theii- crevv helongc*!.

They liad passed many temples and towns during the
liundi'ed and eighty nn'les of journey between Syene and
this place, ))ut this was the laigest of them. Here two greit
LTotto tem[)le8 were in course of construction, the one
deilicated to the uods Amuii and I'lne, and Imilt at thrj

e\|.ense

of I

lameses himsi

the

her dedicafetl to Athor

1} liofi'eai the fjuecn. On t,h(j.^e teni[»les were (;ng'a\ed the

294

THE FKONTIER TOWN.

records of tho victories of Kameses over various nations of
Africa and Asia.

Jethro ofFered, if the boatmen wislicd to make a longer
stay here, that he would charter aiiotlior bout to take then.
further; but they declared their willingnes.-: to proceed at
the end of a week after their arrival, being well satisfied
witli their engagement and treatment. After passing tho
second cataract they arrived at another large town named
Behni.^ This was a very large city, and u!)Ounded witli
temples and public buildings. The largest tem[>le was dedi-
cated to Thoth. All along the river a belt of cultivated land
extended for some miles l)aek from the bank; this was
dotted with nunnjrous villages, and there was no ditliculty
whatever in obtaining food of all kinds.

At last they reached Semneh, the point to which the
boatmen had agreed to take them. This was the farthest
boundary to which at that time the Egyptian power ex-
tended. The river here took a great bend to the east, then
dowing south and afterwards again west, forming a great
loop. This could be avoided by cutting across the desert
to Merawe, a flourishing town which marked the northern
limit of the power of Meroe, the desert forming a conveni-
ent neutral ground between the two kingdoms. Sometimes
Egypt under a powerful king carried her arms nmch further
to the south, at other times a warlike monarch of Meroe would
push back the Egyptian frontier almost to Syene; but as a
rule the Nile as far south as Semneh was regarded as be-
longing to Egypt.

The traders arriving at Semneh generally waited until a
sufHcient number were gathered to.retlier to form a strong
caravan for mutual protection against the natives inhabiting
the desert, who held themselves independent alike of Egyjtt
and of Meroe, and attacked and plundered parties crossing
the desert, unless these were so strong and well-armed as
to be able to set them at defiance. Erecting two tents, and

1 Now Waily Haifa.

THK CIIOICK OK ItOUTKS.

21) J

landing their goods and merchandise, .Tctlivo !ind his party
cnciinii e I near the river-hank. Tliry had not yet settled
wlicther thoy wouhl cross tlie desert or continue their jour-
ney hy water.

The choice hctween the two routes was oj)en tn them; for
aUhough tlie traih-rs usually crossed the desert, taking with
tliem their lighter and more valuahle merchandise, tlu;
heavier goods made the long detour in hoats, going \i[> in
large tlotiilas, hoth for protectitui again-^t th(^ natives and
for mutual aid in ascending the raj>ids which had to ho
ciicouiitcrtMl, There was no diflirulty in hiiing another
hoat, for it was the universal rule to make a transhipment
here, as the Egyptian hoatmcn were unwilling to entiu*
Meroc. The transport heyond this point, therefore, was in
the hands of the peo])le of this country.

In consultation with the traders gathered at Scmneh
Jethro learned that it was hy no means necessary to proceed
up the river to the city of Meroe,' and thence eastward
through Axoum, the cai)ital of Ahyssinia, to the sea, hut
that a far shorter road existed from the eastttrnmost point
of the bend of the river direct to the sea. There wei'c,
indeed, several large Figyj)tian towns upon the lied Sea, ami
from these a flourishing trade was carried on with Meroe
and Abys.sinia; and the first merchant to whom Jethro
spoke was much surjjrised to find that he was in ignorance
of the existence of the route he had dcscrihed.

The journey, although toilsome, was said to be no more
so than that from ]Meroe through Axoum, while the distance
to be traversed was small in comparison. After much con-
sultation it was therefore agreed that the best plan was to
(lis})0se of the merchandise that they had brought with them
to one of the traders about to proceed south, retaining only
sutlicient for the payment of the men whom it wwiild be
necessary to take with them for protection on tlnir jounu^y.
Jethro had no difTiculty in doing this, alleging as his reason

' Now Kli.ii tDiiiii.

29G

THE JOURNEY RHSUMKO.

for partin,^; witli liis goods that lio found that the cx])oti.scs
to Mcroc would greatly exceed tlio simi he liad calculated
upon, and that therefore lie had determined to procee<l no
further. As they thou;j;ht it hest to allow six months from
the date of their dei)arture from Thebes to elapse before they
entered any lai'ge Kgy[)tian town, they i-euKiined for nearly
two months at Semneh, and then finding that a ilotilla of
boats was ready to ascend the river they made an arrange-
ment witli some boatmen for the liire of their craft to the
point Avliere they were to leave the river and again set out
on their journey.

The ditficulties of the journey were very great. After
travelling for some sixty miles they came to rapids moie
dangerous than any they had passed, and it took the Ilotilla
more than a fortnight passing up them, only four or five
boats ])eing taken up each day by the united hibours of the
whole of the ci-ews. There was great satisfaction when the
last boat had been taken up the rapids, and tlu.'re was a
general feast that evening among the boatmen. During the
whole time they had been engaged in the i)assage a number
of ai'uied scouts had been jdaced upon the rocky eminences
near the bank; for the jilaco had an evil re] citation, and
attacks were frequently made by the desert tribesmen upon
those passing up or down upon the river.

80 far no signs of the presence of hostile natives had been
]»erceived. The usual precautions, however, had been taken;
the cargoes had all been carried up by iiaiid and deposited
so as to form a breastwork, and as night closed in several
soitries were placed to guard against surprise. It had been
arranged that the men belonging to the boats each day
brought u\) should that night take sentinel duty; and this
evening Jethro, his companions, and boatmen were among
those on gu;ird. Many of the boats had left Semneh before
them, and they had been among the last to arrive at the
foot of the cataracts, and consequently came up in the last
batch.

the cxpoiiscs
i<l calculated
pr(X'Cc<l 110
inoiitlis fnjiii
before tliey
ed for nearly
'> a ilotilla <>f
i an arrani^e-

craft to the
again set out

jreat. Aft(>r

rapids more

)k tlie tlotilla

four or five

tbours of tlie

ion when the

there was a

Duiing the
Lge a nuuiher
i\ eminences
•utation, and
besnien upon

res liad been
. been taken ;
nd depo.sited
d in several
It liad been
-ts each day
^y; and tliis
were anions
inneh before
rrive at the
• in the last

A NUniT ALARM.

2i)7

As owners tlicy liad been exempt from tlie labours of
fliag!:ing up the boats, and had sjient much of their time
(luring the enforced delay in hunting, Tiiey had obtained
(logs and guides from the village at the foot of the cataracts
and had had good sport among the ibex, which aboumled in
the rocky hills. The girls had seldom left their cabin after
leaving Semneh. There was nothing remarkable in the pre-
sence of women in a boat going so far up the river, as many
of the traders took their wives on their journeys with them.
When, however, they journeyed beyond ►Vemneh they left
them there until their return, the danger and hardships of
the desert journey being too great for them to encounter,
and it was therefore thouirht advisable that the irirls should
remain in seclusion.

Jethro, Amuba, and Chebron were standing together at
one of the angles of the encampment when the former
suddenly exclaimed:

"There are men or animals moving on that steep hill
opposite! I thought several times 1 heard the sound of
stones being displaced. 1 certainly heard them then."
Then turning round he raised his voice: "I can hear sounds
on the hill. It W(3re best that all stood to their arms and
prepared to resist an attack."

In an instant the sound of song and laughter ceased
aiiiidst the groups assembled round the fires and each man
seized his arms. There was a sharp ringing sound close to
•'ethro, and stooj^ng he picked up an arrow which had
hillen close to him.

"It is an enemy!" he .shouted. "l)raw up close to the
breastwork and pi'e}>aie to recitive them. Scatter the fires
at once and extinguish the blazing brands. They can see
us, while themselves invisible."

As he spoke a loud and terribh^ yell rose fioiu the hill-
>=ide and a shower of arrows was poured into the encamp-
ment. Several men fell, Imt .Kthro's orders weie carried
out and the fires promptly extinguished.

298

AN ATTACK REPULSED.

"Stooi) down behind the breastwork," Jetliro shouted,
"until they are near enough for you to take aim. Have
your spears ready to check their onshiught wlien they charge.''

Although Jethro held no position entitling him to com-
mand, his orders were as promptly obeyed as if he had been
in authority. The men recognized at once, by tlie calmness
of his tones, that he was accustomed to warfare, and readily
yielded to him obedience. In a minute or two a crowd of
figures could be seen a})proaching, and the Egyptians, leap-
ing to their feet, poured in a volley of arrows. Tiie yells and
screams which broke forth testified to the execution wrouLiht
in the ranks of the enemy, but without a check they still
rushed forward. The Egyptians discharged their arrows as
fast as they could during the few moments left them, and
then, as the natives rushed at the breastwork, threw down
their bows, and, grasping the si)ears, maces, swords, axes,
or staves with which they were armed, bohlly met the foe.

For a few minutes the contest was doubtful, but encour-
aged by the shouts of Jethro, whose voice could be heard
above the yells of the natives, the Egyptians defended their
position with vigour and courage. As fast as the natives
climbed over the low bieastwork of merchandise they were
either speared or cut down, and after ten minutes' fierce
fighting their attack ceased as suddenly as it had begun, and
as if by magic a dead silence succeeded the din of battle.

"You have done well, comrades," Jethro said, "and de-
feated our assailants; but we had best stand to arms for a
while, for they may return. I do not think they will, for
they have found us stronger and better prepared for tlu in
than they had exj)ected. Still, as we do not know their
ways, it were best to remain on our guard."

An hour later, as notliing had been heard of the enemy,
the fires were relighted and the wounded attended to. Six-
teen men had been shot dead by the arrows of the assailants
and some fifty were more or less severely wounded by the
same missiles, while eighteen had fallen in the hand-to-hand

CIIKI.IIOM CAUllIKS THE NHWS.

2'J'J

Ijfo shouted,
aim. Have
they charge.''
him to corn-
he had been
the cahnness
, and readily
o a crowd of
f'ptians, leap-
riic yells and
tion wrouiiht
jck they still
cir arrows as
ft them, and
threw down
iwords, axes,
net the foe.
, but encour-
ild be heard
3fcnded their
3 the natives
se they wore
inutes' fierce
d begun, and
of battle,
id, "and de-
bo arms for a
:hey will, foi-
led for thciu
: know theii

i the enemv,
ded to. Six-
the assailants
mded by the
hand-to-hand

contort at the breastwork. Thirty-seven natives were found
(lead inside the breastwork. How numy had fallen before
the arrows of the defenders the hitter never knew for it
was found in the morning that the natives had carried oil'
tlieir killed and wounded who fell outside the inclosure.
As soon as the fighting was over Chebron ran down tc the
boat to allay the fears of the girls and assure them that
none of their party had received a serious wound, Jethro
alone having been hurt by a spear thrust, which, however,
glanced olT his ribs, inHicting only a tlesh wound, which he
treated as of no conseriuence whatever.

"Why did not Anuiba come down with you?" Mysa
asked. "Are you sure that he escaped without injury?"

"I can assure you that he has not been touched, Mysa;
but we arc still on guard, for it is [)ossible that the enemy
may return again, although we hope that the lesson has
been suflicient for them."

"Were you frightened, Chebron 1"

"I felt a little nervous as they were coming on, but when
it came to hand-to hand lighting I was too excited to think
anything about the danger, besides, I was standing be-
tween Jethro and Amuba, and they have fought in great
battles, and seemed so quiet and cool that I could scarcely
feel otherwise. Jethro took the command of every one, and
the rest obeyed him without question. But now I must go
back to my post. Jethro told me to slip away to tell you
that we were all safe, but I should not like not to be in my
place if they attack again."

"I have often wondered, Ruth," Mysa said when Chebron
had left them, "what we should have done if it had not
been for Jethro and Amuba. If it had not been for them
I should have been obliged to marry Plexo, and Chebron
would have been caught and killed at Thebes. They arrange
everything, and do not seem afraid in the slightest."

"I think your brother is brave, too," Ivuth said; "and
they always consult with him about their plans."

3U0

KUTII UNDKKSTANDS THINGS.

" Yes; l)Ut it is all tlioir <loing," ]\rysa replied. " Cliciirf»ii,
before tliey ciuiio, tliought of notliin;^' 1)UL rriidiug, ami was
•jjeiitic ami (luicL. 1 iieanl one of tliu slaves say to anotlitr
that ho was more like a .i^irl than a hoy; hut l)eiiig with
Aimi))a has quite altei-ed hiin. Of course, he is not as
strong as Anuiha, hut he can walk and lun and shoot an
jirrow and shoot a javelin at a niaik almost as well !is
Amnha can; still he has not so much s^iirit. I think
Awiuha always speaks decidedly, while Chehron hesitates
to give an opinion."

"J'ut your l)rother lias a great deal more learning tha!i
Amuha, and so his opinion ought to he worth more, !Mysa.''

"Oh, yes, if it were ahout history or science; for any-
thing of that sort of course it would, Kuth, hut not ahout
other things. Of course, it is natural that they should he
diti'erent, hccause Amuba is the son of a king."

"The son of a king?" liuth repeated in surprise.

"Yes, I heard it when ho first came; only father said it
was not to be mentioned, because if it were known he would
be talcen away from us and kept as a royal slave at the
j)alace, IJut he is really the son of a king, and as his father
is dead he will be king himself when he gets back to his
own country."

"And Jethro is one of the same peoj)le, is he not?" Ruth
asked.

" Oh, yes ! they are both liebu. I think Jethro was one
of the king's warriors."

" That accounts," liuth said, " for what has often puzzled
me. elethro is much the oldest of our party, and altogether
the leader, and yet I have observed that he always speaks
to Amuba as if the latter were the chief."

"I have not noticed that," ]\lysa said, shaking her head:
" but I do know, now you mention it, that he always asks
Amuba's ojunion before giving his own."

"I have constantly noticed it, Mysa, and I wondered that
since he and Amuba were vour father's slaves he should

1. "Cliol.if.n,
ilin.ii;, ami wu-;
^ay to another
Lit l)eiiig witli
lie is not jis
and shoot an
St as well as
I'it. I think
Ji'on licsitutcs

learning than
more, JNIysa.'
nee; for any-
init not about
ley should he

)rise.

father said it
own he would
slave at the
I as his father
s back to his

e not]" Euth

jthro was one

often puzzled
nd altogether
dways speal

ng her head :
B always ask.s

■ondered that
es he should

IIUTII AND MVSA.

301

always considt Amuba instead of your ])rother; but I under-
stand now. That accounts, too, for Anml)a giving his
opinion so decidcdlj'. Of course, in his own country,
Anmba wa^ accustomed to iiave his own way. 1 am glad of
that, for I like Anmba very nmch, and it vexed me some-
times to see him settling thimrs wheil Jethro is so mueh
older. And you think if he ever gets ba'k to his own
country he will be king?"

"I am not sure," Mysa said doubtfully. "Of course, he
ought to be. I suppose there is some other king now, and
he might not like to give u\) to Anmba."

"1 don't suppose we shall ever get there," Kufdi said.
"Anudia said the other day that his countiy lay a great
distance farther than the land my people cunu; from a long
time ago."

"But that is not so very far, liuth. You said that the
caravans went in six or seven days from that part of Kgypt
where you dwelt to the east of the great st'a where your
fathers came from."

"But wo are a long way from then;, Mysa."

" Ijut if it is only six or S(;ven days' journey why did not
your j)eoplc go l)ack again, Kuth?"

"They always hoped to go back some day, Mysa; but I
don't think your people wotdd have let them go. You see
they made tliem useful for building and cutting canals and
other work. Besides, other people dwell now in the land
tliey came from, and thest; wouhl not turn out uidess they
were beaten in battle. My people are not accustomed to
light; besides, they have stopped so long that they have
hi.'come as the Egyptians. For the most part they talk your
language, although some have also preserved the knowledge
of their own tongue. They worship your gods, and if they
were not forced to labour against their will I think now
that most of them would prefer to live in ease and ^denty
in Egypt rather than journey into a strange country, oi
which they know nothing exee[)t that their forefathers

302

THK KNI) OF TIIK I»)AT -lOfllNEY.

Imndrcds of yojirs ai,'o canio tlionco. lltit licro are tlio
others," slu; hiolxc; oil", as tlw; lioat liciileil siiiM(Mily over ;is
some oik; ajuiwig on board. "Now we shall hear more about
tli(! »i.^dltin.^."

The next day the journey waa continued, and without,
further adventure the tlotilhi arrived at last at the town
wiiere the party would leave the river and strike for th ■
coast. Ilavini^ unloadiid their ^oods and discharge*! tip'
boat, Jethro liiictl a small house until arran^t'lnent.s wen;
made* for tluiir jourjiey to the E«'a coant. Kl Makrif* W;is
a place of no <,'rt'jit importance. A certain amount of trad'
was carried on with the coast, but nwst of the merchants
trading with Meroo ])referred the lont^'cr but safer route
through Axoum. Still jiarties of travellers i)assed up au'l
down and took boat tln.'n; for Meroe; but there was an
absence of the temples and great buildings which had dis-
tinguished every town they had passed betweerj Thebes an"l
Semncih.

dethro upon inquiry found that there were wells at tlii^
camping-places along the whole route. 'J'he people wcif
wild and savage, tin; Kgyptian ])Ower extending only from
the seashore to the foot of the hills, some fifteen mile-;
away. Occasionally ex[)editions were got up to punish the
tiibesmen for their raids upon the cultivated land of the
coast, but it was seldom that the troops could come up<m
them, for, knowing eveiy foot of the mountain, these eludcl
all search by their heavy-armed adversaries. Jethro foun'l
that the custom was for merchants travelling across this
country to })ay a fixed sum in goods for the right of passage.
There were two chiefs claiming jurisdiction over the road,
and a messenger was at once des])atched to the nearest of
these with the offer of the usual payment and a request for
an escort.

A week later four wild-looking figures i)resented tiioni-
selves at the liouse and stated that they were ready to con-

* Now called Berber.

k'.

"WK MIST NOT CIVK WAV, MVSA."

.303

lioro .ire tlie
Moiily over :i^
ar more about

, and witlidiif.
J at tho tow 11
strike foi' til''
liscliiir^ed tli-'

gCllHMltS W('l(!

I Makrif wis
noiiiit of trad ■
tho inorcliants
ut safer roiift'
)assed up aii'l
tliere was an
^'hich licid (lis
311 Tliebes aii'l

•e wells at the
:; ixjoplf^ well'
ling only fiom
3 liftecn niil(s

to punish tlif
d lan<l of till'
lid come upon
n, these cluddl

Jethro fouii'l
n<f across this
ght of passage '.
over the road,

the nearest <»f
i a re(paest tor

'eaented inCin-
3 ready to con-

duct tho travellers tliroiigh their rhicf's trrritory. Jctliro
'lad already made arraiigi-nicnts with the ii«>ad man of the
jdace to furnish him with twelve men to carry provisions
necessary for the journey, and upon the following morning
tiie party st.irted, and Mysa anil Ruth assumed the garh of
hoys, .Jethro linding that although tradiMs might bring up
tlie la«lies of their family to Semneh, or even tak(< them
higher up the river in boats, tlu^y would never think of
exposing them to the fatigue of a jouruiiy across the; moiui-
tains, and th.it the arrival of two girls at tlu; Kgyjjtian town
on the sea would therefore .assure<lly attract reujark, and
possibly inquiry, on the part of the authorities.

For the first few hours tho girls enjoyed the change of
travelling after the long <'ojiliii('inent on the bo.it, but long
before! nightfall they l(»ng«Ml for i\w snug cushions and easy
life they had left behin<l. 'I'lu! bearers, heavy laden as they
were, proceeded at a steady jiace that taxed the strength of
the girls to keep up with after the first few miles were
passed. The heat of the sun was intense. The country
after a short distance had been passed became barn,'n and
desol.ite. They did not suller from thirst, for an ampltj
supply of fruit w.as carrie<l by out; of the bearers, l»ut their
lind)S ached, and their feet, unused to walking, becafue
tender and j>ainful.

•'Can we not stop for a while, Jethro]" Mysa asked
beseechingly.

Jethro shook his he.id.

" We must k(!ep on to the w(!lls. They are two hours
further yet. They told us at starting that the first day's
journey was six hours steady walking."

Mysa was about to say that she could walk no further,
when Ruth whispered in her ear:

" We must not give Avay, Mysa. You know we promised
that if they would take us with them, we would go through
all difficulties and dangers without complaining."

The admonition had its efiect. Mysa felt a;diamed that

.".U I

A rAINiri- JDIUNKV.

slio liad Ijccn on tho jmi'nt of ^ivinj; way on the vory first
(lay of their startinL,' on their leal journey, ami stiuj^'gleil
l)ravely on; lint hoth girls were utterly exhausted hy the
time they airived at the wells. Tlwy felt rewarded, liow
•jver, for their siill'erinL^s hy the h(>arty eonmietidation .lethin
hestowed upon them.

" \'ou have held on most hravely," h(^ said; "for 1 eoiiM
see you were terribly fatigued. I am afraid yoJi will liuil
it very liard work just at first, Imt- after that it will he
more easy to you. Tomorrow's journey is a shorter one."

it was well that it was so, for the girls wer(! limping even
at their start, and needed the assistance of .lethro and the
boys to reach tho next lialtijig-placo; and as soon as the
tent, which was separated into two parts hy haiiging^s, was
erected, they dropped upon their cushions, feeling that tin y
could never get thiough another day's sutl'ering like that
they had just passed.

Jethio saw that this was so, and told their eseort that he
must halt next day, for that his young sons had heen s(t
long in the boat that the faligne had (piite overcome them;
lie accompanied the intimation with a i)resent to eaeh of the
four men.

They oHered no objections, ^ Me tho porters, who were
[)aid by tin; day, were well content(Ml with the halt.

The day's lest greatly benelited the girls, but it was net
long enough to bo of any utility to their feet; these, how-
ever, they wrai)t in bandages, and started in good spirits
when the porters took up the loads. They wen^ now follow-
ing the course of what in wet weather was a stream in tli''
mountains. Sometimes the hills on either side receded a
little, at others they rose almost periiendicularly on either
side of the stream, and they had to pick their way among
great boulders and rocks. This sort of walking, howevei',
tired the girls less than progressing along a level. Their
feet were i)ainful, but the soft bandages in which they were
enveloped hurt them far less than the sandals in which they

AI'KS

30.'.

the very fust

iinl strug^^lc'l
iiati'tl l)y tilt'
wiutldl, liow
diition tit'tliii)

" for I ('f)uM
you will I'm 1
Kit it will Itc
>h()rtor one."

limpinj^ ev(!ii
utliro and tlit)
s soon as the
liaiii^iliL^s, w;i>

ling that they
linj; like that

escort that he
; had hocn sd
rrconic tlu'Hi;
to t'ueh of tlic,

crs, who wi re
! halt.

)nt it was not
t; thost', how-
1 good spirits
re now fol low-
stream in the
ide receded a
arlv on eitluM'
'ir way among
ving, howevt'f,

level. Tlu'ir
lich they were

in which they

liad at first walked, and they arrived at the halting place in
much hiUter condition than on the previous occasions.

"'i'iie worst is over now," Jcthro said to them encourag-
ingly. •* You will tind each day's woik come easier to you.
\\m have stinxl it far hetter tiiaii I expected; and I f(!(d
more hopefid now that wo shall reach the enil of our journey
ill safetv than I have donu since the esening when I lirst
agiccil to take you with us."

Willie passing through some of the ravines tlie party had
ln'cn greatly amused hy the antics of tidops of apes. Some-
times these sat traiKpiilly on thi' hillside, tin; elder grav(dy
surveying the little caravan, the younger frisking ahuut
perfectly uncoiu^erned. Sometimes they would accompany
tliem for a considerahle distance, making tlunr way along
the rough stones of tin; hillside at a deliherate pace, hut
yet keeping up with the footmen helow.

As the ajie was a sacred animal in i'-gypt, Mysa w;is glad-
d'lieil by their sight, and considered it a gooil omen for thj
success of their journey. The m<;n who escorted them told
tliem that if undistuihed the apes never attackcnl traveller.s,
hut that if molested they would at once attack in a body
with such fury that even four or five tiavellors together
W(»uld have hut little chance of escape with their lives,
i Miring the first week's iouinev thev saw no other animals-
although at night they heard the cries of hyenas, who often
came close up to the encampment, and once or twice a ileep
loar which their guide told them was that ol" a lion.

On the seventli day, however, soon altei- they had started
upon their march, the sound of bieaking luaiiches was
heard among some trees a short distance up the hillside,
and immediately aftei'wards the heads of four or live great
heasts could l)e seen above the mimosa-bushes which ex-
tended from the wood to the l)ottom of the hill. The bearers
irave a cry of terror, and throwing down theii- loads took
t'> their heels. The four men of the escort stood irresolute.
Although none of Jethio's party had ever before seen an

.•^OG

ELEPHANTS.

elephant, tlicy knew from pictures and carvings, and from
tlie great statues in the Island of Elephanta, what thcs«i
great creatures were,

"Will tlicy attack us?" Jethro asked the men.

" They do not often do so," one of them replied ; " altliough
at times timy come down and waste the fields round villages,
and will sometimes slay any they come across. IJut it is best
to get out of their way."

Jethro pointed out a few of the more valuahle package^,
and taking these up they entered the hushes on the other
slope of the hill, and made their way among them as far as
they could. This was, however, but a short distance, for
tliey were full of sharp thorns, and offered terrible obstacles
to j)asrtage. All of the party received severe scratches, and
their garments suflered much, in making their way but
twenty yards into the bush.

" That will do," Jethro said. " We shall be torn to pieces
if we go further; and we are as much concealed from sight
here as we should be another hundred yards farther. 1
will see what they are doing."

Standing up and looking cautiousl}' through the sci'cen of
feathery leaves, Jethro saw that the ele[)hants wfie standing
immovable. Their great ears were erected, and tiieir trunks
outstretched as if scenting the air After two or thivc
minutes hesitation they continued to descend th^e hilh

"Are they afraid of man?" Jethro asked one of the
escort.

" Sometimes they are seized with f, panic, and fly at the
approach of a human being; but if attacked they will charge
any number without hesitation."

" Do you ever hunt them ("

"Sometimes; but always with a great number of men.
It is useless to shoot arrows at them; the only way is to
crawl out behind and cut the back sinews of their legs. It
needs a strong man and a sharo sword, but it can be done.
Then they are helpless, but even then it is a long work to

IN illDLNt;.

igs, and from
II, what these.

jen.

d; "alLliouu^h

OUlul vilhlLTCJS.

But it is best

il)le packui:i;c'^,
on the oth(.'i'
them as far us
(ILstunce, for
rihle obstacles
scratches, ami
heir way but

torn to i)ioces
ed from sight
Is farther. 1

1 the sci'oon of
were stamliiij.
id their trunks
two or three,
tlwi hill,
d one of tlu'

and fly at tin-
ley will eharuc

mber of men.
Illy way is to
their leiis. It
b can be done.
, long work to

ilespatch them. Crenerally we drive thorn from our villages
by lighting great tires and making noi-'^'-s. Solitary elephants
are more dangerous than a her<l. I have known one of them
kill a dozen men, seizing some in liis trunk and :hrowing
tliem in the air as high as the top of a lofty tree, dashing
others to the ground, and kneeling upon them until every
bone is crushed to pieces."

The elejihants had now reached the bottom of the valley,
and the chief of the escort held up his hand for perfect
silence. All wore prepared to fight if the elephatits pursued
them into the bushes, for further rcrreat was imjtossible.
Amuba and Chebron had fitted their arrows into the bow-
strings, and loo.?ened their swords in the scabbards. The
four natives had drawn the short heavy swords tliey carried,
while Jethro grasped the axe that was his favourite weapon.
" Uemember," he had whispered to the boys, "the back
sinews of the legs are the only useful joint to aim at; if
they advance, separate, and if they make towards the girls
tiv to {.'et behind them and hamstrnig them."

Thei'e was a long pause of e.xpectation. The elephants
could be heard makiii'' a low snorting noise with their
tiunks; and Jethro at last raised himself sulHciently to look
through the bushes at what was going on. The elephants
v/ere examining the bundles that had been thrown down.

" I believe that they are eating up our food," he whispered
as he sat down again.

Half an hour elap.sed, and then there was a sound of
breakini; the bushes. Jethro airain looked out.

"Thank the gods!" he exclaimed, "they are going ofV
M'^'am.

Trampling down the mimosa thicket as if it had been
grass, the elephants a.scended the opposite hill and at last
T'.'-entered the wood from which they had first emerged.
The fugitives waited for a quarter of an hour and then made
their way out again from the thicket, Jethro cutting a j»ath
w rh his a>.c throu-jrh tlie thorn'?. An exckniation of sur-

:vj.S

GllKEUV VlSlToIlS.

prise broke from them as tlioy gained the open ground. TIk;
wiiole of tlieir stores were tossed aljoiit in tlie wildest confu
sion. Every one of tlie packages had l)een opened. Tent,
gar'ne?its, and eai'pets hung ''.pon tlie hushes as if the ani-
mals liad tossed them conteni[)tuously there as being unlit
to eat. Kverytliing ealahle had disai)peared. The fruit,
grain, and vegetables liad be(!n eompletel}' cleared up. The
skins of wine were burst; but the contents had been apparently
appreciated, for none remained in the hollows of the rocks.

" What greedy creatures ! " Mysa exclaimed indignantly,
''they have not left us a single thing."

"They do not often get a chance of such dainty feeding,"
Aniuba said. "I don't think we ought to blame them, es{»e
cially as they do not seem to have done very much damage
to our other goods."

' iiook how they have traini)led down the bushes as they
went through. 1 wish th.'ir skins were as thin as mine,"
Mysa said, as she wiped away the blootl from a deep scratch
on her cheek; "they would keep uj) in their own woods
then and not come down to rob travellers."

" At any rate, Mysa, Ave ought to feel indebted to them,"
Chebron s.aid, "for not having pushed their investigations
further. We should have had no chance either of escape or
resistance in these busies. Jethro told us to move round
and attack them from behind; but moving round in these
thorns is all very well to talk about, but quite impossible to
do. Two minutes of active exercise and there would not hi;
a morsel of Hesh left on one's bones."

It was two or three hours before the bearers came back
one by one. Tliey were assailed Avith fierce reproaches h\'
dethro for the cowardice which had been clie means of losing
all the provisions. Four of their number were at once i)aid
olf -^"d sent back, as there was no longer anything for them
to carry. The others would have left also had it not been
ior the escort, who threatened death if they did not at onee
take up their burdens ami proceed. For Jethro had be n

UN THE 11 KD SEA.

3U'J

];ioun(l. TIk'
vildest confii
leiied. Tent,
lis if the aiii-
is being iiniit
The fruit,
red up. The
er apparently
di the rocks,
indignantly,

inty feeding,"
le them, espc
much damage

uslies as they
liin as mine,"
I deep scratcli
r own woods

•ted to them,"
investigations
r of escape or
) move round
)iind in these
im})ossible to
would not 1)0

rs came bacl^
•eproachcs hy
cans of losing
} at once juiid
Inns' for them
1 it not bet'u
d not at once
liro liad be^ti

liberal with his stores, and they were as indignant as ho
was hin)-:df at the sudihMi stop[)age of their rations.

Tliree (hiys later they arrived at o small vilhige, which
marked the commencement of the territory of the secon<l
chief tlirough whoso country the road ran. Here the escort
and carriers left them, their i)lace being supplied by natives
of the village. There was no difHculty in obtaining a supj>ly
(»f grain ami goats'-milk cheese; but these wtne a j)Oor sub-
stitute for the stores that the elephants had devoured. They
were too glad, however, at having accomplished half the
loilsomo journey to murmur at trilles, and after a clay's halt
)>roceeded on their way. Another fortnight's travel and
they stood on the lower slopes of the hills, and saw across a
wide belt of flat country the expanse of the sea glistening
in the run.

Two more days' journey a!id they reached the 7\i:yptian
trading station. This was situated on a little peninsula
connected with the mainland by a narrow neck of land,
across which a massive wall had been built to re[)uls(; the
attacks of the wild tribesmen, who freiiuently swept down
and devastated the cultivated fields up to the very wall.
As soon as they entered the town Jethro was ordered by
ail official to accompany him to the house cf the governor.
TakiiiL' Chebron with him, he left it to Anniba to arrange
for the use of a small house during their stav.

The governor's inquiries were limited to the state of the
eountr3% the behavour of the tribesmen along the road, the
state of the wells, and the amount of i)rovisions olttainable
along the line of route.

"There are a party of Arab traders from tlie other siile
who wish to pass up to ca^Ty their goods either to Si'mneh
or ]\leroe, ])ut 1 have detained them until news should reach
me from above, for if any wiong should ha])pen to tlitim
their countrymen might probal)ly enough hold us respon-
sible for their deaths, and this nn'ght lead to quairels and
loss of trade; but since you have passed through with so

310

JETIIRO EXAMINED.

small a party there can be no fear, and they can arranj^o
witli the people who brought you down as to the amount
to be paid to the cliiefs for free passage."

He inquired Jethro's reason for making the journey over
the mountains instead of proceeding by the Nile. He
replied that he had received an advantageous ofTer for all
his merchandise and had dis})0sed of it to a tiader going
up to Meroe, and that as the Nile had now fallen, and tho
danger in passing down the cataracts was consideralde, he
thought it better to make the short land journey, and to
travel by sea to Lower Egypt; especially as he was told that
the natives were now friendly, and that no difficulty would
be met with on the way. Another reason for his choosing
that route was, that he might determine whether on his next
venture it would not be more advantageous to bring down
his merchandise by ship, and start from the sea-shore for
Meroe.

"Undoubtedly it would be better," the governor said;
"but it were wiser to sail another two days' journey down
the coast and then to journey by way of Axoum."

A weeks' rest completely recruited the strength of the girls,
and Jethro then engaged a passage in a trading ship which
was going to touch at various small ports on its way north.

CHAPTER XVHL

THE DESERT JOURNEY.

THE journey \vas a long one. The winds were often so
light that the vessel scarcely moved, and the heat was
gieater than anything they had felt during their journey.
They sto})ped at many small ports on the Arabian side; the
captain trading with the natives — selling to them articKis

IHK GULF OF vKl-ANA.

:;ii

of Egyptian niaiiufat'ture, and buying the products of tii«
country for sale in Kgypt. Tlic party liad, btroic starting,
arranged tliat they would land at ^Elana, a town lying at
the head of the i^ulf of tiie same name, foiinin;' the eastern
arm of the Ked Sea.' l>y so doing they would avoid the
passage through Lower Egypt

The qiiestioTi had not been decided 'witliont long debat*'.
l^)y crossing from Arsinoe- to I'elusiuin they would at the
latter port be able to obtain a passage in a I'liu'iiician
trader to a port in the north of Syria, and there strike
across Asia Minor for the Caspian. f)ethro was in favoin* of
this route, because it would save the uirls the long and
arduous journey uj) through Syria, They, however, made
light of this, and declared their readiness to undoigo any
hardships rather than to run tiie risk of the wh(»le i)arty
being discovered either upon landing at Aisinoe or on their
journey north, when they would pass through the very
country that Amuba and Chebron had visited, and that
was inhabited by Ruth's peojtle.

All allowed that the time had long since passed when the
authorities would be kee[)ing up a special watch for them;
but as upon entering port a scribe would come on boar<l
and make a list of the passengers with their place of birth
and vocation, for registration in the official records, it would
be ditlicult in the extreme to give such answers as would
avoid exciting suspicion.

Wlien the vessel reached the mouth of the long and narrow
gulf the party were struck by the grandeur of the mountains
that rose from the water's-edge on their left

The captain told them that tiie chief of these was known
as Mount Sinai, and that barren and desolate as the land
looked it contained valleys wliere sheep were pastured, and
where wandering tribes found a subsistence. No hint had
been given to the caiitain th:it they had any intention of
cutting short their voyage before arriving at Arsinoe, for it

I Now the Gulf )f .Akabaii. ^ Snw Smz.

.•3 1 2

I.EAVINU THE Sllir.

()

woulfl have snemeil an extraordinary ]>rocee(ling for a trader
journoying witli liis family to leave the sliip at any of the
Arabian ports. While sailing up the gulf Mysa rouiplained
of illness, and inde(!<l so uverpowered was she hy the heat
that there was but little fiction in the complaint. U})0ii
arrivin<' at y^Elana Jethro had her carrie<l on shore, and,
hiring a house there, stayed on shore while the ship was
in ]!ort.

Theie was a small l]gyi)tiar,. garrison in the town, which
carried on a consideral»le trade with Moab and the country
to the cast. No attention, however, was paid to the landing
of the tradeis, for, as the country beyond the wulls of the
town lay beyond the limit of Kgyptian lule, the landing and
dci)arture of peisons at the ])ort was a matter of no interest
to the authorities. Two days later Jethro went on board
auain and said that his vouiilt son was so ill that tliere was
no chance of him being able to jtroceed on the journey, and
that therefore he must forfeit the passage money paid t
Arsino(!.

He said that as it might bo many weeks before another
vessel would come along, he should endeavour to pay his
way by trading with the natives, and he therefore wished to
]turchase from him a portion of his remtuning goods suitable
for the i)urposc. As the cajjtain ^aw th it he would save
the provisions for five persons for the month or six weeks
that the vova-^e would \et last, and at the same time jiet
rid of some of his surplus cargo, he assented without ques-
tion to dcthro's pi'oposal. Several bales of goods were madi>
up, consisting j)rincipally of cloths of various texture and
colour of J'lgyptian manufacture, trinkets, and a selection
of arms.

These were landed, and two <lays later the vessel set sail.
Jethro called u])on the Egyptian commandant, and by mak-
ing him a handsome present at once enlisted his aid in his
enterprise, lie said that ms he had been detained by the
illness of his son, and it imght In; a huig time bcfoi-e ajiv

I'LLWDKiClMi iKii;i;.s.

3ia

^' for a trader
Lt any of the
a coiiiplainod
by the licat
laint. Upon
I sliore, and,
^-ho ship was

town, wln'ch

the country

) tilt) landing

M-all.s of the

landing and

f no interest

mt on board

at tli(>re was

jouiiKy, and

•ney paid to

fore another
to i)ay his
re wished to
>ods suita])le
wonid save
'r six weeks
le time ^et
thout ques-
i were made
oxture and
a selection

sel set sail.
»d by mak-
! aid in liis
led l)y the
before anv

vessel came, lie tliought of getting rid of the rest of the
merchandise he had brought with liim by trade willi the
people of ^loab.

"Tliat you can do if you reach INToab," tlie Egyptian said,
"for traders are every wiicre well received; but the journey
from here is not without dangers. It is a country witiiout a
master; the people have no fixed abodes, moving hero and
there according as they can find food for their animals,
sometimes among the valleys of Sinai, sometimes in the
desert to the east. These peoi)le ])lunder any whom they
may come across, and not content with ])lundor might slay
or carry you away as slaves. Once you have passed through
as far as Moab you are safe; as you would also be if y<ni
journeyed to the west of the Salt Lake, into which runs the
river Jordan. There are many tribes there, all living in
cities, warlike and valorous jH'ople, among whom also you
would be safe. We have had many wars with them, and
not always to our advantage. I'ut between us is a sort oi
truce — they do not molest our armies marching along by
the sea-coast, nor do we go u}) among their hills to meddle
with them. These are the people who at one time conquered
a portion of Lower Egypt.^ and reigned over it for many
generations until, happily, we rose and drove them out."

" Is the journey between this and the Salt Lake you speak
of an arduous onel"

" It is by no means diflicult, except that it were best to
( arry water upon the journey, for the wells are few and often
dry; but the country is Hat for the whole distance, indeed
there is a tradition that this gulf at one time extended as far
north as the Salt Lake. The road, therefore, though st<my
and rough, ofl'ers no difliculties whatever; but 1 sliould advise
}ou, if you determine upon the journey, to leave your
son behind."

" It is better for him to travel than to remain here without
me," Jethro said; "and if we go up through tne people you
speak of to the west of this lake /md river, it would be but

CAMELS 0I5TALNED.

.9 t

a short journey for us after disposing; of our goods to make
our way down to a jioit on the great sea, whence we may
take sln'p and retuin quickly to I'ekisium, and thus arrive
home hefore we should Hud a ship to take us hence."

" That is so," the Pigyptian said. " The winds are so
uncertain on these seas, that, as far as time goes, you might
journey by the route you propose and reach Egypt more
speedily than you wouM do if you went on board a ship at
once. The danger lies ahnost entirely in the first portion of
your journey. The caravans that go hence once or twice a
year through Moab to Palmyra are numerous and well
armed, and capable of resisting an attack by these robber
tribesmen. But one left a few weeks ago, and it may be
some months before another starts."

" What animals would you recommend me to take with
me?"

"Beyond all doubt camels are the best. They are used
but little in this country, but come down sometimes with
the caravans from Palmyra; and I believe that there is at
present in the town an Arab who possesses six or seven of
them. He came down with the last caravan, but was taken
ill and unable to return with it. Doubtless you could make
a bargain with him. I will send a soldier with you to the
house he occui)ies."

Jethro found that the man was anxious to return to his
own country, which lay on the borders of Media, and there
fore directly in the direction which Jethro wished to travel.
He was, however, unwilling to undertake the journey except
with a caravan, having intended to wait for the next how
ever long the time might be; but the sum that Jethro
ottered him for the hire of his animals as far as Palmyra at
last induced him to consent to make the journey at once,
bargaining, however, that a party of ten armed men should
be hired as an escort as far as the borders of Moab. Highly
])leased with the result of his inquiries, Jethro returned
home and told his companions the arrangements he had made.

HIKING AN ESCIOKT.

315

" I have only arranged for our journcjy as far as Talnivra,"
he said, "as it would have raised suspicion had 1 engaged
him for the whole journey to Media; but of course he will
gladly continue the arrangement for the whole journey. He
has bargained for an escort of ten men, l)ut we will take
twenty. There is ani[>le store of your father's gold still unex-
hausted ; and, inde(;d, we hive spent but little yet, for the
sale of our goods when we left tiie boat paid all our expenses
of the journey up the Nile. Therefore, as this seems to l)e
the most hazardous part of our journey, we will not stint
money in performing it in safety. I have told him that w(j
shall start in a week's time. It would not do to leave
earlier. You must not recover too rapidly from your illness.
In the meantime I will make it my business to pick out a
score of good fighting men as our escort."

In this the Egyptian captain was of use, recommending
men whose families resided in yElana, and would therefore
be hostages for their fidelity. This was necessary, for no
small portion of the men to be met with in the little town
Avere native tribesmen who had encamped at a short distance
from its walls, and had come in to trade in horses or the
wool of their flocks for the cloths of Egypt. Such men as
these would have been a source of danger rather than of pro-
tection.

By the end of the week he had collected a party of twenty
men, all of whom were to provide their own horses. Tiie
sum agreed upon for their escort was to be i)aid into the
hands of the Egyptian officer, who was to hand it to them
on their return, with a document signed by Jethro to the
eftect'that they had faithfully carried out the terms of their
agreement.

Jethro found that the expense of the escort was less than
he had anticipated, for when the men found that the party
would be a strong one, therefore capable of i)rotecting itself
both on the journey out and on its return, they demanded
but a moderate sum for their services. When the owner of

316

THE STAKT.

the camois learned that they had decided positively to pass
to the east of tlie Salt Lake, he advised thuiii stroiiL,dy, in-
stead of following the valley of vKlana to tlie Salt Lake,
where it would he diflieiilt to ol)tain water, to take the roail
to the cast of tin; rai)L,^e of hills skiitiiig the valleys, and su
to proeeed throui,di Tetra and Sliohek and Karik to He.slxtn
in Moah. This was the route followed })V all the caravans.
Villages wouM ho found at very short distances, and there
was no dilliculty whatever ahout water.

" My camels," he said, "can go long distances without
water, and could take the valley route, but the horses would
jjiuirer greatly."

Jcthro was glad to hear that the journey was likely to he
less toilsome than he had anticipated; and all the arrange-
ments having heen concluded, the party started soon after
dawn on the day at first lixed upon.

The girls were still in male attire, and rode in large
haskets sluni; one on each side of a canul. The camel-
diiver walked at the head of the aninud, leading it by a
cord. Its fellows followed in a long line, each fastened to
the one before it. Jethro, Amuba, and Chebron, all armed
with bows and arrows, as well as swords, rode beside the
girls' camel. Half the escort went on ahead, the othOr half
formed the rear-2:uard.

"Which is the most dangerous part of the journey?"
Jethro asked the camel-driver.

" That on which we are now entering," he replied. " Once
we arrive at Petra we are comparatively safe; but this })()i-
tion of the journey passes over a rough and uninhahited
country, and it is across this line that the wandering tribes-
men pass in their journeys to or from the })astures round
Mount Sinai. The steep hills on our left form at once a
hiding-place and a look-out. There they can watch for trav-
ellers passing along this road, and swoop down upon
them."

"How lonu' shall we be reachiuL' ['etra?"

A DKKAIIY I'KSKUT.

'Ml

'cly to })a.ss
troiigly, iii-

Siilt I.akc,
ko tlic I'oiul
cys, and so

to Ileslntii
le caravans.
, and there

OS witliout
orscs would

likdy to 1)0
l\u'. arran.L^c-
l soon after

le in lar'fc
The (•aniel-
ling it ])y a
fastened to
n, all armed
I beside the
16 other half

3 journey?"

ied. " Once
jut this |)()i'-
nninhal)itO(l
cM'inL!; ti'ilx's-
itures rouii'l
in at once a
tch for trav-
dcwn upon

" Tt is three dnys' fair travellings hut as the 'heasts are
fn-sh, hy journeying well on to sundown we cnulil acco!ii-
]>lish it in two days. Aftci- that we can travel at our ease,
the villages lie hut a few miles apart."

"Let us push on, then, hy all means," said .Tctliro. "Wo
can stay a day at I'etra to rest the heasts, l)ut let us get
through this desolate and dangerous country as soon as wo

can.

'{'he girls had been greatly amused at first at the appear-
ance of the sti'ange animal that was carrying them ; hut they
8o<»n found that the swinging action was extreim 'v fatiguing,
and they would have gladly got down and walked.

dethro, however, said that this could not he, for the pace
of the animal, deliherate though it seenn'd, was yet too
gHMt for them to keep up with on foot, and it was necdlid
for the first two days to push on at full speed.

The sun hlaze<l with trenuMidous force, ami was relh-cted
from the black rock of the hills and the white sand Ivinir
hetW(,'en the stones that everywhere strewed the plain along
which they were travelling, and th<^ heat was terrible.
After travelliuLr for three hours they halted for an hour,
and detiiro mauage<l, with the poles, that had been brought
to form the framework of tents, and some cloths, to fastcMi
an awniuLT over the baskets in which the i^iils were ridiuL'.
The camel had lain down as soon as th(>v luilted, and the
girls stepjied into the baskets before they arose. They
gave a sinuiltaneous cry as the animal rose. They had
j)repaied for him to rise on his forelegs, and when his hind
• puirter suddeidy rose in the air tlu'y were almost thrown
from their baskets.

"I don't like this creature a bit," ^fysa said, as they
moved on. "Who would suppose that he was going to
get up the wrong way first? Desides, -why does he keep on
grumbling? I am sure that Ruth and I cannot be such
a very heavy load for such a great beast. I believe lie would
have bit us as we got in if the di'iver had not jerked the

318

TIIK FMIST IIAI.T.

ropo at its lioad. It ninst bo much nicer to sit on a horse.
1 am sure tliut looks ciisy (mioul^'Ii."

"It is not so easy as it looks, Mys.i," Chebron roplicd j
"hesiilos, you know women never do rid«! horses."

*''rhoy do in our country," Amul)a said. *' When wc grt
there, Mysu, i will teach you how to sit on them."

"Ah! it is a lon^ way oil", Amulia," Mysa ?ei»h'ed; "and
I believe this creature has made up his miud to shako us to
pieces as soon as he can."

" Vou should not try to sit still'," Jethro said. "Sit quite
easily, and sway backwards and forwar.ls with the motion
of the basket, ^'ou will soon ;^'et accustomed to it, an<l will
find that ero long you will bo ahlo to sleep as if in a
cradle."

They travelled on until the sun was just sitda'ng, and then
]»repared to cjimp for the night. They had brougiit witii
them several skins of water, and from these a scanty drink
was given to each of the horses. A few handfuls of grain
were also served out to each. The drivers stuck their
S))ears firmly into tho ground, and to these fastened them.
The camels were made to kneel down so as to form a square.
In the centre of this the tent was pitched for the girls, the
horses beini' arranii;e(l in a circle outside.

The men luul all brought with them flat cakes, and with
these and a handful of dates they made their meal; and
there was no occasion for lighting a tire, for Jethro's party
had brought an ample store of cooked provisions for their
own use. In a short time quiet reigned in the camp. Tiie
journey had been a hot and fatigtiing one, and the men
wrap[)ing themselves in their cloaks lay down, each by his
spear, and were soon asleep, with the exception of four who
took their posts as sentries. Jethro had agreed with Amiiba
and Chebron that they also would divide the night between
them, taking it by turns to keep watch.

The men of the escort were, however, of opinion that
there was very little j)robability of any attack before morn

it on a horse.

)r()n replied ,

When we get

ni."

'l>licil; "and

sliake ns to

"Sitqnitr

1 the motion
() it, and will
p as if in u

in.i^, and then
hroni;ht with
scanty (Irink
Ifuls of grain
I stnck their
istened tlieni,
orni a Sijuarc.
the girls, the

CCS, and with
ir meal; and
fethro's party
ons for their
J camp. TIk'
and the men
, each hy hi>
n of four will I
I with AniP.ha
lii^ht between

opinion that
heforo morn

TIIK JOIKNKY INTKKIM I'lKH.

.31!)

ing, even had they been watched l)y a party among tiie
liills.

"They could hardly hope to take us by surprise, for they
would l)e sure that wo shouM s(!t a watch in the (hirUncss.
Tliey could not make their way down the hills without s(tme
noisf; besides, they believe the powers of evil are potent
at night, an<l seldom stir out of their canips after dark, if
we are attacked at all, it is likely to be just before sunrise."

Jethro had thcrt;fore arranged that Chebron should keep
the first watch, Amuba the secon<l, and that he himself
would take charge four hours before dayligiit.

The night juissed without any «ause for alarm. As .soon
as daylight broke the camp was astir. Another ration *>i
water and grain was served out to the horses, a hasty meal
was made by the men, and just as the sun ro>(! the cavalcade
moved on. They had journey(!d but half a ndle, when from
behind a spur of the hills rumiing out in the plain a large
party were seen to issue forth. There must have been fully
a hundred of them, of whom some twenty were mounted
and the rest on foot. 'J'he travellers halted and had a short
conb'jltation. dethro with one of the escort then rode out
to meet the advancing party, waving a \.hite cloth in token
ol amity. Two of the Arabs rode forward to meet them. It
was some time before Jethro returned to the l>arty, who
were anxiousl

^ly

'ji')'

"What do they say, Jethro '<" Amuba asked as he
rode up.

"lie says, to begin with, that we ought to have pui-
clia.sed from him tiie right of travelling across the country.
I said that I would gladly have paid a modeiate sum had I
been aware that such was retpiired, but that as he was not
in yKlana I could not tell that he claimed such a riiiht. At
the same time I was ready to make an oiler of four rolls of
Egyptian cloth, lie rejected the olFer with scorn, and after
a long conversation let me know pretty plainly that he
intended to take all our <roods and animals, and that we

3 JO

rUKl'AKATlUNS FOK DEFENCE.

might think ourselves fortunate in l)eing allowed to pursue
our way on foot. I said that I would consult my friemls;
that if thoy agreed to hb. terms we would keei) the white
flag flying, if we refused tlitm we would lower it."

"Then you may as well lowei it at once, Jethro,"
Amuba said. " We might as well be killed at once as
be jtlunderod of all we possess by il.ese Arab rascals.
Besides, as there are three and twenty of us, and all
well armed, we ou^dit to ))e able to cut our wav through
tluMu. At the W!.-;st the iriils could mount iMjhind us, aiiii
we could make a circuit so as to avoid the footmen, and if
the horsemen ventured to attack us we cotdd soon gi\'(j a
ifood account of them."

" Ves. But we should lose our seven camel loads of
goods, and we shall want them for trade as we go along,"
Jethro said. "I propose thuu we should form the camels
into a scpiare, as we did last night, <^hat you two and six of
the men armed with bows and c^rrows shall occui)y it and
take care of the gills, while the re.-;t of us charge the Arabs.
If we can defeat th ; horsemen it is probable that the men
on foot will drav/ o!i". ]>iit while we are doing so some of
those on foot may rush forward and attack you. We will
take care not to pursue, ami you can rely upon our coming
to your assist:incc iis soon as you are att;ickcd."

"I think that is the best plan, dctliro. We can keep
them ort" for some time with our bows and arrows, for
C(!rtainly Chebron and I can bring down a man with eacli
shot at a hundred yards.''

dethro chose six of the men who jnofessed themselves
to be good ai'chers. Their horses' legs were tied and the
animals thrown down just outside the sijuai'e formed ))y the
kneeling camels. Strict instructions were given to the girls
to lie down, and the saddles and bales were arranii;ed outside
the camels to shield them from missiles. Then when all
was prepared the white flag was lowered, and Jethro with
his fourteen men rode at full galloj) against the Arabs.

id to pursue
my frieiiils;
![) the white
it."

ce, Jethro,"
at once as
ii'iib rascals,
us, and all
wav throui;ii
hind us, uii'i
tineii, and if
soon give a

iicl loads of
re go along,"
1 tiio camels
ro and six of
ccupy it and
;e the Arabs,
hat the men
; so some of
u. We will

our com nig

re can keep
arrows, for
n with oacli

I themselves
tied and the
rmed by the
1 to the girls
nu;ed outside
en "when all
Jethro with
Arabs.

DEFEAT 01' THE ARABS.

321

Trusting to their somewhat suinnor numbers the Arab
horsemen a«lvanced to meet them, but Jethro's party, obeying
his orders to keep in a close hne together with their spears
levelled in front of th-ni, rode right over the Arabs, who
came up singly and without order. Mt.*n and horses rolletl
over together, several of the former transfixed by the s^jears
of the horsemen. Jethro called upon his men to halt, and
turned upon the Arabs.

Some of the latter Hed towards the footmen, who were
miming up to their assistance, but were pursued and cut
ilown. Others fought to the last silently and desperately;
but these, too, were slain. As soon as tlui footmen ap-
})roached they opened tire with slings and stones. Jethro
lalli'^d his men and formed them in line again, and at their
head charged the Arabs. The latter fought steadily.
Giving way for a moment, they closed in round the little
party of horsemen, throwing their javelins, and hacking at
them with their swords. Jethro spurred hir^ horse into
their midst, dealing blows right and left with his heavy
axe. His followers pressed after him, and after hard fighting
cut their way through their ojiponents.

Again and again the manceuvre was i-epeated, the resist
ance of the Arabs weakening, as most of their best men had
fallen, while the large shields carricMl by the horsemen re-
polled the greater part of the missiles they hurle(l at them.
Another minute or two and the Arabs broke and fled from
the hills, leaving over twenty of their number on the
ground, in addition to the whole of their niounted men.
Jethro had now time to look round, and saw for the first
time that he had not, as he su|)j)osed, been engaged with
the whole of the enemy's pai'ty. While some fifty of
them had attacked him, the rest had nuidc direct for the
camels, and were now gathered in a mass around them.

With asl'.out to his men to follov/ him Jetiiro gallo[)ed at

(481) X

322

THE ATTACK ON THE SQUARE.

full speed toward? the Arabs, and with a shout flung himself
upon thorn, clearing his wjiy t/irough them with his ax<v
He was but just in tinie. A desperate couHict was raging
across the camels. At one point several of the Arabs had
broken into the square, and these were opposed by Amuba,
Chfcbron, and one of the men, while the others still held
back the Arabs on the other side. The arrival of Jethro,
followed closely by the rest of his mon^ instantly put a stop
to the conflict.

The Arabs no longer thought of attacking, but with
cries of dismay started for th(^ hills, hotly pursued by the
horsemen, who followed them until they reached the foot of
the rocks. As soon as the Arabs gained their fastnesses
they again betook themselves to their slings, and the horse-
men fell back to the camels. Jethro had not joined in the pur-
suit, but as soon as the Arabs WvA had leapt from his^horse.

"You were almost too late, .!< thro," Anuiba said.

"I was, imleed," Jethro replied. "T thought that T w;i>
ougngcd with the whole of the footmen, and in the heat of
the tight did not ntice that a party had moved oil' to att;t(!<
you. You are teiribly hint, T fear, both you and Chebroh.
Are both the girls unharmod?"

Mysa and Kuth had both risen to their feet as soon as the
attack ceased.

" We are both safe," IMysa replied. " But oh, how terribly
you are hurt, both of you; and Jethro, too, is wounded!"

"JNIy wound is nothing," Jethro said; "let us look to
those of Chebron first," for Chebron had sat down again^^t
one of the camels.

"Do not be alarmed," CheT)von said faintly. "I think it
is only loss of blood; my shield covered my body."

"Now, girls," Jethro said, "do j'ou get beyond th:^
camels, open one of the bales of cloth, and set to work, tear-
ing it up in stripes for l)andages. 1 will look after these two. '

Sr,liloL;s WuLNDS.

;}

as soon as tne

After on examination of tlu'ir wouikIs Jetlno was able to
say that he did not tliiiik that any of them would have very
serious consefjucnces. Ijotli had been wounded in the leg
with javelins, the side of Chebron's face was laid open by a
sword cut, and a spear had cut through the Hesh antl
grazed the ri]).s on the right side.

Amul)a's most serious Avound had been inflicted l)y a
javelin thrown at him sideways. This had passed com-
pletely through his back under both shoulder-l)la(les, and
had broken oti" there. Jethro cut oti' the raL'ired end, and
taking hold of the point protruding behind the left arm,
drew the shaft through. Then taking some of the ban-
dages from the girls, he bound up all the wounds, and
then proceeded to examine those of the men who were
already occujiied in staunching the flow of blood from
their comrades' wounds. It was found that one of the
defenders of the square was dead and three others severely
wounded.

Of .lethro's ]Kuty two had fallen, and all had received
wounds more or less severe. Mad it not been for the shields
that covered their bodies, few would have emerged alive
from the contlict; but these gave them an immense advan-
tage over the Arabs, who carried no such means of ])rotec-
tion. The owner of tlie camels had escaped unhurt, having
remained during the fight hidden under some bales. As
soon as the wounds were all banda<:ed, and a driid< of wine
and water had been served out to each, the camels were
unbound and permitted to rise.

Three of the men most seriously wounded, being unable
to sit on their horses, were ])laced on the bales carried by
camels, and thv,^ party again set out. It was well that they
were obliged to proceed at the pace of the camels, for several
men could scarcely sit their horses, and could not have done
so at a p'vzc exceeding a walk.

■ii|

32i

COMl'AKINd NOTKS.

"Now, /\ninba, lee us liesir about j'our fi.L^lit," Jethro said.
"I have not liad time to ask a (|uestion yet."

"There is nought to tell," Anmba said. "We saw you
charge down upon their horsemen and destroy them, and
then ride into the middle of their foot. At once a party of
about thirty strong detached themselves and made straight
for us. As soon as they came within range of our arrows
Ave began. I shot four before they reached us, and I think
Chebron did the same; but the men with us shot but poorly,
and I do not think that they can have killed more than
seven or eight between them. However, altogether, that
accounted for about half their number, and there were only
about fifteen who got up to a hand-to-hand tight with us.
For a bit, aided by our breastwork, we kei)t them out. But
at last they managed to spring over, and although we were
doing our best, and several of them had fallen, we had been
wounded, and it would have gone very hard with us in
another minute or two if you had not come up to the rescue.
Now let us hear what you were doing."

Jethro then desciibed the encounter he and his party had
had with the footmen.

"They fight well, these Arabs," he said, "and it was well
for us that we all carried shields; for had we not done so
they would have riddled us with their javelins. As you see,
I liad a narrow escape; for had that dart that went through
my ear been an inch or two to the right it would have
pierced my eye. I have two or three nasty gashes witli
their swords on the legs, and I think that most of the other
men came out worse than I did. It was lucky that they did
not strike at the horses; but I suppose they wanted them,
and so avoided iuHicting injury on them. However, it lia>5
been a tough tight, and we are well out of it. I ho])e I shall
not be called on to use my battle-axe again until I am
fighting in the ranks of the Kebu."

' Jethro sau\.

We saw you
)y them, and
ce a party of
nade strai^i;ht
f our arrows
, and I think
t but poorl}^
d more than
:)gether, that
're were only
ight with us.
3m out. But
ugh we were
we liad boon
[ with us in
to the rescue.

bis party liad

d it was wcl!

not done so

As you see,

vent throuirh

would have

gashes with

of the other

:hat they did

-'anted them,

wever, it lia>;

ho])e I shall

until I am

AT TETUA.

CIiAPTER XIX.

IIUME AT LAST.

325

WHEN they neared Petra a horn was heard to blow, and
people were seen running about among the houses.

"They take us for a })arty of Arabs," one of the horse-
men said. "As I have often been through the town and
am known to several })ersons here, I will, if you like, hurry
on and tell them that we are peaceful travellers."

The party halted for a few minutes, and then moved
slowl; forward again. By the time they reached the town
the news that tbe party were traders had s[)read, and the
l)eoj)le were issuing from their houses. These were small,
and solidly built of stone. They were but one story high.
The roof was fiat, with a low wall running round it, and the
houses had but one door, opening externally. This was
very low and narrow, so that those inside could ofler a
determined resistance against entry. As the town stood on
the slope of the hill, and the roofs of the lower houses were
commanded by those from above, the place was capable of
oliering a determined resistance against marauding tribes.
The head man of the place met the travellers and conducted
them to an empty house, which he placed at their disposal,
and offered a present of fowls, dales, and wine. The news
that a heavy defeat had been intlicted upon one of the wander-
ing bands excited satisfaction, for the interference of these
l)lundcrers greatly affected the prosperity of the place, as
the inhabitants were unable to trade with zT^lana unless
going down in very strong parties. Every attention was
paid to the party by the inhabita?its. Their wounds were
bathed and oil poured into them, and in the more serious

3JG

A !SiX MUNTIIS' JUUltNKY.

cases boiled herbs of medicinal virLue were api)licd as
poultices to tlie wouikIs.

Petra at that time was but a large vilhige, but it after-
wards rose into a j)lace of importance. The travellers
remained here for a" week, at the end of ^^hich time all
save two were in a fit state to continue their journey.

Without further adventure the journey was continued to
Moab. On their arrival here the escort was dismissed, eacli
man receiving a present in addition to the stijiulated rate of
pay that they were to draw upon their return to ^lana.

Moab was a settled country. It contained no large towns;
but the population, which was considerable, was gathered
in small villages of low stone-built houses, similar to those
in Petra. The inhabitants were ready to trade. Their
language was strange to Jethro and Amuba; but it was
closely related to that si)oken by Kuth, and she generally
acted as interpreter between Jethro and the natives. After
travelling through Moab, they took the caravan road across
the desert to the north-east, passed through the oasis of
Palmyra, a large and flourishing city, and then journeyed
on to the Euphrates. They were now in the country of the
Assyrians, and not wishing to attract attention or questions,
they avoided Nineveh and the other great cities, and ke|)t
on their way north until they reached the mountainous
countr}'' l}ing between Assyria and the Caspian.

They met with many delays upon the way, and it was six
months after leaving zElana before, after passing through a
portion of Persia, they reached the country inhabited by the
scattered tribes known by the general name of Medes, and to
whom the Rebu were relate! Through this countrv Thotmes
had carried his arms, and most of the tribes acknowledtied the
dominion of Egypt, ana paid a tribute to that country, Egyp-
tian garrisons being scattere<l here and there among them.

Jethro and Amuba now felt at home, but as they deter-

AMONG TllK KKi;U.

3:^7

mined that when they reached their own ronntrv tlicv
would, 'intil they found how nuitti'is were ijoiiig (ui theic,
disguise tliuir ick'ntity, tlicy now travellod as Persian
traders. Long Ix'foro reaching Persia tliey iiad disposed
of the stock of goods witii wliich tiuT starttMl, ami ha<l now
suppHed tliems* Ives witii artick's f I'tMsiati niaiuifacture.
They thus passed on unquestioned from village to village,
as the trade in those regions was entiiely cairied on ])y
J'ersian merchants, that country liaviug already attaiucd a
comparatively high amount of civilization; wliile the iMedian
trihes, although setthid down into tixed connnunities, ha<l
as yet hut httle knowhslge of tlie arts of peace. The party
journeyed in company with some Persian traders, and gradu-
ally worked their way north until they arriveil at the first
liehii village.

They luul many times de])ated the question of the part
they should here play, and had agree(l that it would bo
hotter to continue to maintain their charact(>r as Persian
traders until they had learned the exact position of atl'airs.
In order to be able to keep up their disguise tlujy had laid in
a fresh stock of Persian L'oods at the last hiiije tt)wn throuL^h
which they passed. Mad .Icthro l)een alone he could at
once have declared himself, and would have been received
with joy as one who had maile his way back from captivity
in Egypt; ])ut for Amuba there would have been danger in
his being recognized until the disposition of the occupant of
the throne was discovered. There wouhl, indeed, have been
small chance of his being recognized had he been alone.
Nearly four years had elapsed since he had been carried
away captive, and he had grown from a boy into a powerful
vounii; man; ])ut had Jethro been reco^nizcfl his companion's
identity might have been sns))ecte<l, as ho was known to have
been the special mentor and conipanion of the young j>rince.

As to Amuba he liad no desire whatever to occupy the

P>-2S

A usuurEii.

tlirone of tlio Tie))n, and desinMl only to rcsitlo f|uii>tly in his
native country. The larL;o sum that Aniens had handed
over to the care of Jethro had been much diminished hy the
exj)enses of tlieir long journey, l)Ut tlicre was still ample to
insure for them all a good position in a country -where
money was not abuixhint.

In their journey through Persia they had picked up many
of the words of that liinL'uai'e diilering from those of the
Keiju, and using these in tlu'ir conversation they were able
to pass well as traders who in their pr<ivious journeys in the
land liad ac()uired a fair knowledge of the dialect of the
people. They soon learned that an Egyi)tian garrison still
occupied the ca[>ital, tiiat the ])C(>pIo groaned under the
exactions necessary to ])ay the annual trihute, and that the
general Amusis, who had, as Amuba's father expected he
would do, seized the tiuone of the Kebu after the de]»arture
of the maiii Kgyptian army, was in close intimacy with the
Egyptian officials, and was in consequence extremely un-
j)opular among the i)Coi)le. He had, on his accession to
])Ower, put to death all the relatives of the late king who
could be considered as rival claimants for the throne, and
there could be little doubt that did he suspect that Amuba
had returned from Egypt ho would not hesitate to remove
him from his path.

Arnuba liad severrd lo^'^g consultations with Jethro as to
his course. He re])cat<,'d to him the conversation that he
had had with his fathrr en the day previous to *he ba^le
in which the latter a-as slain, how he had warned him
against the and)ition of Amusis, and advised him rather than
risk the chances of civil war in endeavouring to assert his
rights, to collect a body of adherents, and to seek a new
home in the far west. Jethro. however, was strongly of
oninion that tho advice, although excellent at the time, was
no longer ipjirupriate.

JKTiiKujJ AliGU.MKNTS.

3 -J!)

"To bcL^'in with, Aniuba, yoii were then hut a hoy of
sixtocn, Hiid e!\L;;i!^'cMl as we were in war with K^ypt tlie
l>eoi)le woulfl natmally have preferred haviii:; a wcll-kiiowii
iuifl skilful Ljeiieral at tlieir head to a hoy whom they could
not liope woulil lead them successfully in war. Vou are now
a man. Vou have had a wide exiterieiice. You have an
acquaintance with the manners and ways of our conquerors,
and were you on tlie throne could do much for the [)eoi»le,
and could promote their welfare by encouraging; new methods
of a;i;riculture and teaching them something of the civiliza
tion in Kgypt.

"In tlie seconil place, in the four years that have elapsed
Amusis has had time to make liimself unpopular. The
necessity for heavy taxation to raise the annual tribute has
Jiuturally told against him, to say nothing of the fact that
he is said to be on friendly terms with our foreign oppressors.
Therefore the chances would be all in vour favour."

"But I have no desire to be king," Amuba replied. "I
want to live in quiet contentment."

"You are born to be king, Prince Anniba," Jcthro saiil;
"it is not a matter of your choice. Besides it is evid'.'ut that
for the good of the i)eople it is necessary that tlui present
usurper should he overthrown and the lawful dynasty re-
stored. Besides this it is clear that you cainiot live in })eace
and contentment as you say; you might at any moment be;
I'ecpgnised and your life forfeited. As to the original plan,
I am sure that your father wouM not have iidvocattid it
under the changed circumstances; besides I think you have
had vour fair share of wandri'ing and danucrs.

"Moreover, I suppose yon would hardly wish to drag
Mysa with you on your journey t'^ an unknown country,
where all sorts of trials and struggles must unqnestioiuibly be
encountered before you succec<l in founding a new settle-
ment. 1 suppose," he said with a smile, " you wouM not

IVdO

AMl'liA HESITATES.

propose leaving her here to whatever fate mi'^ht licfall her.
1 fancy from what I have seen during the last six months
tliat you have altogether other intentions concerning her."

Aniuha was silent for some time.

"But if Amusis is su})i)orted by tlu Egyptians," he said
at last, "and is viewed by them as thei" ally, I should not
be able to overthrow him without becoming involved in
hostilities with them also. It is not," ho went on, seeing that
Jethro was about to speak, "of the garrison here that I am
thinking, but of the ])ower of Kgypt behind it. Did I over-
throw Amusis and defeat the P^gyptians, his friends, I sliould
bring upon my country a fresh war with Egypt."

" Egypt is, as we have found, a very long way off, Amuba.
Occasionally a warlike monarch arises under whom her arms
are carried vast distances, and many nations are brought
under her sway, but such ellbrts are made but rarely, and
we lie at the extremest limit of her power. Thotmes him-
self has gained sufficient glory. He was absent for years from
his country, and at the end of long journeyings returned
home to enjoy the fruits of his victories. It is not likely
that he would again start on so long an expedition merely ti>
bring so distant a corner of the land subject to Egypt again
under her sway. The land is stripped of its wealth, there
is nothing to reward such vast toil, and the outlay th.it
would be required to carry out such an exi)edition, and it
may be generations before another monarch may aiisc
thirsting like Thotmes for glory, and willing to leave tlie
luxuries of Egypt for a course of distant conquest.

" Besides, Egypt has already learnt to her cost that the
Rebu are not to be overcome bloodlessly, and that defeat is
just as likely as victory to attend her arms against us.
Therefore I do not think that the thought of the vengeance
of Egy])t need deter you. In other respects the present
occupation by them is in your favour rather thafi other-

"MV .MIM> IS MADK VV NuW."

3o\

it befall her.
t six months
riling her."

ans," he said

1 should nut

involved in

1, seeing that

re that I am

Did I ovtr-

nds, I should

r off, Amuba.

lom her arms

are broui^lit

t rarely, and

.'hotnu'S him-

or years from
ings returned
is not likoly
;ion merely U*
' Egypt again
wealth, theic
J outlay th.it
lition, and it
li may aris.'
to leave the
est.

cost that the
that defeat is
5 against us,
he vengeance
the pret?ciit
thafi other-

wise, for you will appear before the people not only as their
rightful king but as their liberator f'.om the hated Kgyptiau
voice."

" You are right, Jethro," Amuba said after a long silence;
"it is my duty to assert my rights antl to restore the land
to freedom. My mind is made up now. What is your
advice in the matter]"

"I should journey through tlu; land until wo reach a i)ort
by the sea frequented by Persian traders, and should there
leave the two girls in charge of the family of som»! trader in
that country; there th(;y can remain in tranijuillity until
matters are settled. Chebron will, I am sure, insist upon
sharing our fortunes. Our long wanderings have made a
man of him, too. They have not oidy strengthenctl his
tVamo and hardcMied his constitution, but they have given
stability to his character. Ho is thoughtful and pruijent,
and his advice will always be valuable, while of his courage
I have no more doubt than 1 have of yours, ^^'hen you
have once gained your kingdom you will find in ("he]»ron
a wise councillor, one on whom you can lean in all times of
ditliculty.

" When we have left the girls behind we will continue
our journey through the land, and gradually put ourselves
into communication with such governors of towns and other
persons of inlluence as we may learn to be discontente(l
with the present state of things, so that when we strike our
blow the whole country will declare for you at once. As
we travel we will gradually collect a body of determined
men for the surprise of the capital. There must be numbers
of my old friends and comrades still surviving, and there
should be no difficulty in collecting a force cai»able of
capturing the city by a surprise."

Jethro's plans were cai'ried out, and the girls placed under
the care of the wife of a Persian trader in a seaport close to

332

C;AIMN(i AhllKliKNTS.

tho frontier of IN'rsia, the otlicrs then started uimhi tin ii
jouriioy, Htill travelling us I'ersians. .lethro had little ditli
(Milty in diseoveiini^ the sentiments of tho |nin('i|ial men in
tho towns tliroii,!:;h whieli tiiey passed. Introducing; himself
jirst to tlwMn as a I'ersian trader desirous of their protection
in travellini; tliroui^h tho country, ho soon disclosed to them
his own individuality.

To many of them ho was known either personally or hy
re[)Uto. lio infornuMl thorn that ho had oscapod from l\u> pt
with Annd)a, hut he led them to holiovo that his companion
was waitinj; in Persian tcirritory until ho learnt from him
that the country was ripe for his !ij)i)oaranco; for ho thought
it host in no case to disclose tho fact that Amulia was with
him, lost some of those with whom he communicattMl should
endeavour to irain rewards from tlio kinii; hy hetravin-j; him.
His tidinu^s wore everywhere received with joy, and in many
cases Jothro was nniod to send at once for Amuha and to
show him to the people, for that all the land would instantly
rise on his behalf.

Jethro, however, declared that AmiiV)a would bide \\\<
time, for that a premature disclosure would enable the kini.'
to call to;.,'ethor a portion of the army which had formerly
fought under his orders, and that with the assistance of the
Egyptians he might be able to form a successful resistance
to a poi)ular rising.

"I intend," he said, "if possible, to collect a small force
to seize the person of the usurper by surprise, and so paralyse
resistance; in which case there would only be the F^gyptians
to deal with, and these would be starved out of their fortress
long before assistance could reach them."

After visiting most of the towns Jethro and his compan-
ions journeyed through the villages remote from the capital.
Here the king's authority was lightly felt save when troops
arrived once a year to gather in the taxes. Less caution

TIIK (lATIII'.KINO.

ll.l )

(1 ii|Miii tinii
liul littlu (lifli
M'i|iiil tn*'M ill
iH'iii;,' liiiuscll'
fir protection
losL'd to tlu'iii

•soiiiillv or 1>\
1 1 from Kuvjtt
lis c'oni|iaiii(>ii
rut from iiim
or lio tljoii!j;lil
iil>a was with
licattMl slioiiM
clrayiiig liiin.
, and in many
Vmiil)a and to
3uld instantly

luld bide liis
iul)I(3 the kiiiL'
liad formerly
istance of tlic
>ful resistanco

a small force
id so paralyse
lie P'gyptians
their fortress

his compan-

n the capital.

when troo))s

Less caution

was therefore necessary, an«l .lethro soon made himself
Iviiown, and hegun to enlist men to the service. This he
had no tlillieulty in doin.!^'. Tiie news that an attempt was
at once to he made to oveitliiow the usurper and to free tin!
land of the Kgyj^tians, and that at the proper time the right,
fill king would piesi'ut himself and take the command, was
received with enthusiasm.

In each valley through which they passed tin; whole of the
young men enrolled themselves, receiving orders to remain
peifeetly quiet and to husy themselves in fabricating arms,
of which the land had heen stripped hy the Kgyptians, until
a messeni'er arrived siimnionin<' them to meet at a rendez
vous on an appointed day.

In six weeks the numbers of the enrolled liad reached
the point that was considered necessary for the enterprise,
and a day was fixed on wliich they were to assemble among
the hills a few miles distant from the town. Upon tin;
appointed da}' the bands began to arrive. Jethro liad j)ur-
cliased cattle and provisions, and receiving each l)and as it
arrived formed them into companies and ai»[»ointed their
Icaileis. (Ireat fires were lighted, and the cattle slaughtered,
('hebron aided in the arrangements; but Anuiba, by Jethro's
advice, passed the day in a small tent that had l)een pitched
in the centre of the canij).

By the evening the whole of the contingents had arrived,
and Jethro saw with satisfaction the sjurit that animated
them all, and the useful if somewhat i(High weapons that
they had fashioned. When all assembled he drew them up
in a body; and after a speech that excited their patriotic
findings to the utmost, he went to the tent, and leading
Amuba forth presented him to them as their king.

He had in his journeys through the towns procured from
some of the principal men arms and armour fitted for per-
sons of high rank, which had been lying concealed since the

334

niErAilATIUNS.

conquest by the Egyptians. Amuba was accoutred in tliese,
and as he appeared at the door of his tent a wild shout of
greeting burst from the troops, and breaking their ranks
they rushed forward, and throwing themselves on their faces
round him, hailed him as their king, and promised to folluu-
him to the death.

It was a long time before the enthusiasm and excitement
abated, then Amuba addressed his followers, promising them
deliverance from the Egyptian yoke, and from the taxation
under which they so long groaned.

A week was spent in establishing order and discipline in
the gathering, sentries being placed at a distance round the
camp to i)revent any stranger entering, or any one leaving;
to carry the news to the city. In the meantime trusteil
men were sent to the town to ascertain the exact position
of afl'aiis there, and to learn whether the garrison IkuI
been placed on their guard by any rumours that might
have reached the town of disalfection in iba country dis-
tricts. They returned with the intelligence that aIthou;;h
reports liad been received that the late king's son had esca})e(l
captivity in Egypt, and would shortly appear to claim his
rights, the news had been received with aljsolute incredulity,
the king and his Egyptian allies scolling at the idea of ;i
captive making his escaj^e from Eg}pt anil traversing tin;
long intervening distance. So complete had been the quiet
throughout the country since the Egyptian occupation tluit
the garrison had ceased to take any precautions whatever.
No v.'utch was set, and the gates of the city were seldom
clos-(l even at night.

The plans were now finally arranged. Jethro, with a band
of two hundred men, was to enter the town in the daytime;
some going down to the next port and ai-riving by sea,
others entering singlv through the <i;ates. At midnisrht thev
were to assend)le in the square round the palace, which was

THE FINAL AIIKANCKMENTS.

3:}r)

tred ill tliesp,
wild shout f>f
g their ranks
on their fates
ised to follow

id excitenioiit
omisint^ tlu'iii
the taxation

I discijdine in
nee round thu
y one h'avinu
ntimo trust('(l
jxact })Ositi(>!i

garrison IkhI
s that niiijlit
) country dis-
blniu akiionuh

II had escaped
' to claim his
be incredulity,
the idea of ;i
raversing the
)een the quiet
cupation tluit
ons whatever.

were seldom

D, with a hand
the daytime;
iving by se;i,
nidnight thev
L'e, which m:i>

to be suddenly attacked. Amu])a, with the main body, was
to approach the city late in the evening, and to station them-
selves near one of the gates.

Jethro was before the liour named for the attack to see
whether this gate was open and ungnarde<l, and if he found
that it was closed and under charge of an Egyptian guard,
he was to tell off fifty men of his command to attack
and overpower tlie Egyptians, and throw open the gate the
instant they heard the trumpet, which was to be the signal
for the attack of the })alace. Jethro's party we»'e, therefore,
the first to start, going off in little groups, some to the neigh-
bouring ports, others direct to the city. Jethro himself was
the last to set out, having himself given instructions to each
group as they started as to their behaviour and entry into
the city, and the rendezvous at which they were to assemble.
He also arranged that if at any time they should hear his call
upon the horn, which was to be repeated by three or four
of his followers, who were provided with similar instru-
ments, they were to hurry to the spot at the top of their
speed.

"One can never tell," he said, when he told Am'.iba
the orders he had given, "what may happen. I ])elieve
that every man here is devoted to you, but there may al-
ways be one traitor in a crowd; but even without that, some
careless speech on the part of one of them, a quarrel with
one of the king's men or with an Egyptian, and the number
of armed men in the city might be discovered, for others
would run up to help their comrade, and the broil would
grow until all were involved. Other reasons might render
it advisable to strike at an earlier hour than I arranged."

"I cannot think so," Amuba replied. "I should say if
anything were to precipitate atl'airs it would be most jirejudi-
cial. You, with your small force, would be certain to be
overwhelmed by the large 1)ody of followers whom, as we

:{;5G

JETIIIIU'S I'LAN.

J F

■1,

?.§

have learned, the king keeps in his i)alace, to say nothing of
the Egyptians. h\ thut case not only \voul(l you lose your
lives, but you would i)Ut them so thoiougldy upon their
guard, that our enter[)rise at niglit would have little chance
of success."

"That is true," Jethro said; " and I ceitainly do not mean
to make the slightest variation from the phm we agreed
upon unless I am driven to it. Still it is as well to be pre-
l)are<l for everything."

" Of course 1 know that you will do nothing that is rash,
Jethro. After l)eing all these years my guide and counciUor,
I know that you would do nothing to endanger our success
nov/ that it seems almost assured."

Jetnro had in fact a reason for wishing to be able to col-
lect his men suddenly which he had not mentioned to Amuba.
He thought it possible that, as he had said, at the last mo-
ment the plot might by some means or other be discovered.
And his idea was that if that were the case he would instantly
gather his followers and atUick the palace, trusting to sur-
prise and to his knowledge of the building in the endeavour
to fight his way to the king's abode and slay him there,
even if he himself and his men were afterwards surrounded
and cut to pieces. The usurper once removed, Jethro had
no doubt that the vvholc nation would gladly acknowledge
Anmba, who would then have only the Egyptian garrison
to deal with.

No such accident, however, hai)pened. The men entered
the town unnoticed. Those who had come by boat, and
who were for the most part natives of villages along the
shore, remained in the lower town near the landing-place.
Such of them as had friends went to their houses. Those
who entered the gates sauntered about the town singly or
in pairs, and as their weapons were hidden they attracted
no notice, having the appearance of men who had co.ne in

WAITlNd Kc»R MCIITIALL

337

from the country round to dispose of their produce or the
spoils of the chiise, or to excliange them for such articles as
were required at home. Jethro went at once to the house
of an ohl friend with wliom he had aheady communicated
by messenger.

The house was situal<}d on the open space facing tlie
palace. Here from time to time he received messages from
his sub-leaders, and learned th»:t all was going on well. He
heard that the continual rumouis from the country of the
approaching return of the son of th^ late king had at last
caused some anxiety to the usurper, who had that morning
seized and thrown into prison several leading men who were
known to be personally attached to the late king. Kot
indeed that he believed that Amuba could have returned;
but he thought it possible that some impostor might be
trading on his name.

►Several bodies of men had been despatched from the
town to the places whence these rumours had been received,
to ascertain what truth there was in them, and to suppress
at once any signs of revolt against the king's authority.
This was highly satisfactory news to Jethro, as in the first
place it showed that the king did not dream of dang(!r in his
capital; and, in the second place, '*:- reduced the number of
lighting men in the palace to a immber but slightly exceed-
ing the force at his own disposal.

Jethro did not stir abroad until nightfall, his face being
so well known in the town that he might at any moment be
recognized. But as soon as it was dr.rk he went out, and,
accomi)anied by his friend, went round the town. He found
that some changes had taken place since he had last been
there. The Egyptians had entirely cleared away the huts
towards the end of the rock farthest from the sea, and had
there erected large buildings for the use of the governor, oili-
cors, and troops; and had run a wall across from the walls on

( 481 ) V

338

THE KGYPTIAN OAIIKISON.

either side, entirely separating tlieir quarter from t lie rest of
the town. Jethro's friend informed him that the erection of
these buildings had greatly added to the hatred with which
the Egyptians were regarded, as they had been erected witli
forced labour, the people being driven in by thousands, and
compelled to work for many months at the buildings.

Jethro learned that as soon as the inner wall was com-
pleted the Egyptians had ceased altogether to kee}) watoh
at the gates of the city walls, but that they had for a long
time kept a vigilant guard at the gate leading to their
quarters through the new wall. For the last year, however,
owing to the absence of any spirit of revolt among the Kebu,
and to their contidence in the friendship of the king, they
had greatly relaxed their vigilance.

By nine o'clock all was quiet in the town. Jethro sent out
a messenger by the road l)y which Amuba's forre would
approach, to tell him that the city walls were all unguardctl,
and that he had better enter by the gate half an hour before
midnight, instead of waiting until he heard the signal for
attack. He could then move his men uj) close to the Egy^)-
tian wall so as to attack that gate when the signal was given,
otherwise the Egyptians would be put on their guard by
the sound of fighting at the palace before he could arrive at
their gate.

At the time he had named Jethro went to the gate by
which Amuba was to enter, and soon heard a faint confused
noise, and a minute or two later a dark mass of men were at
the path at the gate. They were headed by Amuba. Jethro
at once explained to him the exact position ; and his com-
panion placed himself by the side of Amuba to act as his
guide to the Egyptian wall.

Jethro then returned to the rendezvous, where his men
were already drawn up in order. Midnight was now close
at hand. Quietly the band crossed the square to the gate

DKAIII OF TMK USUUrKR.

" ■' fi

Owl)

of the i)alacG; tlicii Jetliro gave a loud blast of his horn,
and in an instant a party of men armed with heavy axes
rushed forward and began to liew down the gate. As the
tliundeiinir noise rose on the nii^lit air cries of terror, and
tlie shouts of officers were heard within the royal inclosure.
Then men came hurrying along the wall, an<l arrows began to
fall among the assailants; but i»y this time the work of the
axemen was nearly done, and in five minutes after the first
blow was struck the massive gates fell splintered and Jethro
rushed in at the head of his band.

The garrison, headed by tlie usurper himself, endeavoured
to stem their inrush; but, taken by surprise, half-armed,
atid ignorant of the numbeis oi their assailants, they could
not long withstand the determined onslaught of Jethro's
men. Jethro himself made his way througK the crowd of
fighting men and engaged in a hand-to-hand fight with the
usurper, who, furious with rage and despair at the sudden
capture of the palace, fought but wildly, and Jethro's heavy
axe soon terminated the confiict by hewing v. lean through
helmet and head.

The fall of the usurper was for the moment unnoticed in
the darkness and confusion, but Jethro shouted to his men
to hold their hands and fall back. Then he called upon the
garrison to surrender, telling them tliui. ixm^ had fallen,
and that Amuba, the son of Phrases, had arrived, and was
now king of the Relju.

"We do not war against our own people. The Egyptians
are our only enemies. Some of you may know me. I am
Jethro, and I call upon you to join us and make common
cause against the Egyptians, who are even now being
attacked by our young king."

The garrison were but too glad to accept the tcims. Fear
rather than love had attached them to Amusis; and they
were delighted to es(a})e the prosi)ect of death, which had

;uo

.iryniiM) coi nskls dki.av.

the moment hcfore stiirod thcin in tho face, and to sicar
Jille'djincu to tlioir ri-'litfiil kiii''. As .letliro ceased, there-
fore, sliouts of "Long live Aninl)a, king of the Jiehul" rose
from tliem.

"Form up in order instantly under your captains," Jethro
commanded, "and follow us."

The fray !iad been so short that it was hut ten minutes
from the moiuent when dethro's horn had yiven the signal
for attack to that wlum he led his foive, now increased to
twice its former dimensions, to t!ie assistance of Aniuha.
When he reached the wall that separated the Egyptian
harracks from the rest of the town lie found that Amuha had
(!iit(Mvd without resistance and had captured two or three
Imiltliiigs nearest to the gate, suiprising and slaying their
occupants; but beyond that he had matle no i)rogress. The
Egyptians wei-e veterans in warfai-e, and after tin; fiist
luoment of sin'|>rise had recovered their coolness, and with
their flights of arrows so swept the open spaces between the
buildings that the Kebu could make no ])rogress.

Jethro ordereil the ti'oops v.ho had just joined him, all of
whom carried bows and arrows, to ascend the walls and
open fire upon the buildings occui)ied by the Egy[itians.
Then he with his own l)and joined Amidia.

"All lias gone well," lie said. "The palace is captured
and Amusis slain. I would do nothing further to-niL;ht.
'J'he Egyptians are four thousand strong, while we have but
half that number. It would be madness to risk a rcjiulso
now. I will send ofl' messengers at once to the governo!J
of all the towns and to our friends there, informing them
that the usui-per is shiin, that you are proclaim«;d king and
are now besieging the Egyptians in their (|Uarters, and
orderimr them to march hither at once with

iry

capable of bearing arms.

lU three days we shall have twenty thousand men heie.

',, and to >.r(',ir
a cc.'iscd, tlieie-
lie Jiubiil" rose

iptaiiis," Jetliro

ait ten minutes
;iven tlio sii^niil
i\v increased to
ice of Aniul)ii.
the Egyptian
liat Amuba liad
I two or tlin;e
I sla3ing tlieir
l»i'()Lire.ss. The
after tlie first
!nrss, and witli
es l)et\veen tlie
"ess,

ikmI liim, all of

the Mails and

the I\u3{>tians.

Lce is raptured
rther to-niiilit.
le \ve have hut
> risk a repulse

the governo!o
iforniing them
im<;d king and

(luarters, and
til every man

iand men heie,

481

LONG LIVE AMLLA, KI.\(i OF THE REBU

A iSl'MMUNS TU SrUKKNDi:!:

311

aiK tlic KL,'yi>liatis, liiiding tlu^ir position hopeless, will sur-
render; wtiereas, if you iittack now, we may 1)0 repulsed
and you nuiy bo slain and in tliat case tlio country, left
without a lead(T, will fall a.i,Min into slavery."

Aniuba, whose armour had already been pierced by several
f\riov.".s and who was It'cedin-j; freely, Mas with some dilliculty
persuaded by dethro to adopt his counsel. Ho saw at last
that it was clearly the wisest plan to adopt, and orders were
at once issued to th(^ men to desist from further assaults, but
to content themselves with repelling any attr ks the Kj^'yi)-
tians niiirht mako.

These, however, were too ignorant as tr oho 'cn^tli of
their assailants to think of taking the r:\ nsr'o, and until
morning both sides contented themselvc w a keeping up
an incessant lire of arrows against theoj\ hif" in the build-
ings occupied by their foes. In the niornii.g Aniuba ordered
some green branches to be elevated on the tlat terrace of
the house he occupied. The signal was observed, and the
fire of the Kgyjitians ceased. As soon as it did so Jethro
l)rcsented himself on the terrace, and a minute or two later
the Egyptian governor appeareil on the terrace of the oj^to-
site buildiiig. Not a little sur[)rised was ho to hear himself
addressed in his own language.

"In the name of King Amuba, son of King Phrases and
lawful ruler of the Kebu, I, Jethro his genei'al, summon you
to surrender. The usurjjer Amusis is dead and the whole
land has risen against you. Our force is over})Owering---
resistance can only result in the death of every pjgyptian
under your orders. Did we choose we could starve you out,
for we know that you have not more than a week's provi-
sions in your magazines.

" There is no possibility that assistance can reach you.
Xo messenger could pass the watchers in the ]>lain; and could
they do so your nearest force is hundreds of miles awa^',

ai2

TlIK TKIIMTK TO l!K l,<)\\ KUKI).

jumI is of IK) stnMi.^'t,li to n^^lib its wjiy liitlicr. In tlu! ii.inn!
of tlio kill*; I ((tljM' to .allow you to (Icjtiiit, cjirryiiig with you
your ariuH and Htan<lanl.s. Tho kini; lias \nvi\ in your couii
try. He knows how great and powiirful is your nation, and
fain would ho on terms of fricMidsiiij) witli it; therefore he
would inllict no indi;;iiity Ujion }(»u. TIm! tribute whirh
your kin;^ lai<I upon the land is far more than it ean pay,
l)Ut the kint; will ho willin;; to send oveiy year, to the nearest
garrison to his frontiers, a triinite of gold and pieeious stoiu.'s
of one lifth tho value of that wliich has been until now
wrung from tho land. 'J'his he will do as a proof of tlit^
honour in whieh ho liolds your gn^at nation, and as a reeog
nition of its power. T\ui king ordered um; to say that In*
will give you until to-morrow morning to refhu^t over his
ofVer. If it is refused tho whole garrisi^n will he put to the
sword."

So saying Jcthro (h'scend(!(l from tlic terrai'C, leaving tlie
Kgyi)tians to con.sider tho terms Ijo proposed.

CTIAPTHR XX.

TIIK KING OF THK IIEI'.U.

THE offer that Amu])a liad made through Jethro was a
politic one, and he was influenced by two motives in
granting a delay of twenty-four hours before receiving the
answer. In the first place, ho felt sure that his own force
would, before the conclusion of that time, be trebled in
strength, and that should the Egyptians refuse he wouhl b(!
able to repel any eflorts they might niak(!i to cut their way
out until he would be at the head of such a force that he

In tli(! n.ifrii!
y'lui^ with you
in your conn
iir ii;iti(.n, und
tlicrcforo li«!
tiil»iito which
iM it can j».iy,
to tho Moar(!,st
r(;cious stones
n until now
proof of the
nd as a r(!co<'
<> say that hr
i\rrt over his
•>o put to the

e, leavin'' tho

AAltllAS IIOl'KS.

•/ 1 ■»

To thro was a
o motives in
receiving the
is own force
•e trebled in
he would be
ut their way
orce that he

could at will cither storm thcii* positions or, as lie intended,
)M,'lea:^uer them until starvation forc(!d them to surrender.

In tlu! S(!((»nd place, lu! tliou;;lit that the K;;vpti:in answer,
if ;^iven at once, wouM jtrobably be a refusal; but tlu! time
for Hitlection woidd enable them to look their jiosition in tln^
fare and to lecoi^ni/e its hoj>elessn(!SS. ( )n the one; siih; would
be certain <l(!feat and death, on tlie other their ^'eneral woidd
lead out his command intact and without dishonour. Al
though he had thicatened to put the ^arri>on to the; sword
in case tlusy refused, Anmba luul no intention to carty out
his thi'(!at, but on the contiary had deteiiuincMl that even
wer(! tli(! l'l;^'yptians forced to surrender by famine lie would
freely ^rant them the same terms he now ofb-red.

lie kmiW the proud and haui^dity nature of the Kiryptians,
*nd that tin; news of the massaci'e oi a gi'eat garrison and
f-lic successftd risini^ of a tributary province would e.xcite
^iich (hjej) feelin;^ that soom.-r or later an ainiy would be
il(!spatched to avenge the disaster. If, however, the |.,'arrison
h.'ft the country with their arms and standards no disi;race
would be iidlicU!<l upon th(! national arms, an<l as a tribute,
howev(T much reduced, would still Ix; paid, they could still
regard the liebu as under tln-ir domination. The; reduction
of tho tribute, indeed, would be an almost imperceptible
item in the reveniu; of Kgypt.

I^eaving Jethro in command of the beleaguering force,
Ajuuba, accompanied by Chebron, who liatl ))(;en by his
side during the fighting, and a small body-guard, went back
into the town. The news of his coming had aln/ady s[)read,
ami tho inhabitants, who had rejiiained in their houses in
terror during the, to tlnun, unaccountable tumult of the
night, had now ])oured out into the streets, the great space
in front of tin; palace being densely ))acke(l with peojtlc
As Amuba apju'oached a d(^afening shout of welcome; was
raised; tlic gates of the prisons had been thrown open, and

'Mi

AKMINTJ THE I'KorLK

tlioso ttrrostfd the i»rovi(»us day, and many others of tho
principal captains of his fatht;i-'s army, thronged ronnd him
and greeted him as their king.

Willi dilliculty a way was cleared to the gate of tho royal
iiidosure. Amuha, after entering, mounted tho wall and
atldressed a few words to the people. Ho told them that in
defiance of all prohahility he had escajicd from his captivity
in Kgypt and had mado his way ])ack to his native land,
intent not so much on claiming his rightful position there
as of freeing them from the power of their opi)rcssors. Jle
promised them that ho would always rrspect their rights
and usages, ami should endeavour to follow in tho footste|)s
of his father. T\um he retired to the j)alace, where he held
a council with tho captains and leading men in the cit}'.
Onlers were at once issued for every man capable of l)earing
arms to provide himself with some kind of weapon, and to
assemble at noon in the great scjuare.

Lists were drawn up of all tho olficers of tho lato army
still living in tho town, and when tho gathering took place
at noon these were appointed to form the men into com-
panies, to appoint sul)-oHicers, to see to tlio state of the arms,
and, as far as })ossiblo, to sui)ply deficiencies. A larger \m)-
portion than was exj)ected of the three thousand men that
assembled were found to bo jsrovided with weapons. ■ Al-
though nominally all arms had been surrendered to the
Ivgy|>tians great inimbers of si)ear and arrow-heads, swords,
atid axes had been buried. Shafts had been hastily made
for the spears, and bows used for the purposes of tlie chase
were now brought out to do service as lighting weapons.

Many liimdrcds of spears and swords had })een found in
the stores at the jtalace, and when these were served out
most of the men had a weapon of some sort. They were at
once marched u{i to the Egyptian inclosuro. Those with
bows and arrows weie placed upon the walls, the rest were

I' '

THE Tl K.MS A( I'KITED.

3 1 .*)

others of tlio
id round him

of tlio royal

tlio wull aii4

them that in

liis captivity

native land,

losition thcro

)rcssors. Jlo

- their rij,'hts

the foot.ste|>s

khere he held

in the city.

jle of bearing

lapon, and to

le late army
g took place
3n into com-
of the arms,
A. larger })ro-
nd men that
eapons. ■ Al-
ered to the
;ads, swords,
lastily made
of the chase
weapons,
en found in
5 served out
'hey were at
Those with
le rest were

massed near the gate in rca'liness to advance to the assist-
aiico of the hand within slinuld the Kgyptiana make an
iittempt to ctit their way out. in point of numhers Amuha's
forces were now superior to thosi* of the Kgyptians, hut he
was well aware that the supeiior arms and dis(i|»liue of the
litter would eMal)le them to make a successful soitie should

ill

<h!te

ruune

to d

o so.

The women of the town were orilen.'d to s(,'t to work to
grind the grain served out from the magazine in the jialacf,
atid to bake bread both for the fighting men prestMit and for
those expected to arrive. l>y noon the latter began to Hock
in, the contingents from the towns arriving in regular order,
while the shcpheids and villagers straggled in irregularly as
th(! news reached them of the events of the previous night.
]»y evening fully ten thousand men had arrived, and ;is
the Kgyptians had remaine(l (juiet all day Amuba had eveiy
hope that they had decide<l to acce[)t the trrms he ollered,
and that there would be no occasioti for fiutlier fighting.
The troops, however, retnaincd under arms all night, ready
to repel an attack, and in the morning Anmba and .letlno
mounted together on to the terrace of the building from
which the ])arley had taken j)lace on the previous day.

A few minutes later the Kgyptian governor and a grou[)
of his otlicers appeared on the opposite house.

"This is King Amuba," Jethro said in a loud voice. " He
is here to confirm the terms ollered yesterday, and to receive
your answer."

" \\ ' are rcaily," the Kgyi)tlan governor said, "to retire
beyond your frontier, carrying with us our arms, stan<lards,
and valuables, it being untlerstood that we make no sur-
render whatever, but that we march out on e(iii;d tcniH,
holding, as wo do, that we <'ould, if we chose, du: our way
out in spite of any resistance."

"You may hold that belief," x\muba said (ard tin' Kgyp-

'.♦6

A roLITIC SPEECH.

tian was astonislied at finding that the king, as well as his
general, was capalde of conversing in the Kgyptian tongue);
"and, indee«I, knowing and liunouring tlie valour of the
Egyptian troops, 1 admit it is possible that, altliough witli
great loss, you might make your way out, hut more than
tiiat you could not do. You could not hold the countr/,
for you have a nation against you. It is doubtful whether
you could reach the frontier. Surely it is better, then, that
you should leave with honour and without loss."

"As to tlij tril)ute that you oth^r," the Kgyi)tian com-
mander said, "I have no power to agree to any tiiminution
of the terms imposed by the king, and if it be his wid that
an army invades your country to enforce the former terms,
I, with the troops here, must march as ordered, without im-
putation of having behaved treacherously."

"That is quite understood," Ainuba said; "but I trust,
my lord, tliat you, liaving seen for yourself how poor is our
country, how utterly unable to continue to pay the tribute
formerly demanded from us, which has already impover-
ished us to the last degree, will represent the same in your
despatches to the king, and will use y(>ur good otHces in
obtaining his favourable consideration of our case. I can
promise you that the tribute shall be paid regularly. I re-
gard Egypt as the greatest power in the world, and I am
most desirous to continue in friendly relations with it, and
I swear to you that it will be no fault of mine if any com-
phunt reach you of troui^^e on our part."

Amuba's speech was s'ell calculated to soothe the pride
of the Egyptian. The latter was perfectly conscious, al-
though he spoke confidently, that it woild be no easy
matter for his troops to cut their way th.rough the narrov/
gateway held by the masses of the liebu, still less to make
their way, liarassed as he was, to their frontier. If he
returned with his troops intact and in good condition he

TIIK EVACl'ATION.

317

IS woll as his
tian tongue);
^alour of the
Ithough uith
it more tlian
the countr/,
)tful whether
er, then, that

Lryptian com-
y (limiiuition
Ins will tluit
"ornier terms,
., without im-

'hut I trust,
w i)oor is our
y the tril)utc
Kly inipover-
p.anie in your
>0(l offices in
case. I can
liarly. I re-
lil, and I am
I with it, and
! if any corn-
he the [)ri(h'
conscious, al-

be no easy
1 the narrow

loss to make
itier. If he
condition he

could so represi'ut circumstances that no blame or discredit,
wouM fall upon him; and personally he was exceedin^^l}'
pleased at the i)rospect of the termination of his soldiering
at a post so far removed from Hgypt and civilization. He,
therefore, agreed to the terms Amuba proposed, and after
a short parley the conditions of the evacuation of the town
by the Egyptiar , were arranged.

Amuba agreed to withdraw his men from the buildings
that they occu{)ied, and also from the gate, and to i)lace them
all upon the walls, thus saving the Kgyiitians the hunnliation
of passing through lines of armed men, ami avoiding the
ri.sk of a broil arising between the soMirrs. He at once
issued the necessary orders, and the IJebu retired to the
walls where they could defend themselves in case of any
treachery on the part of the Egyptians, and the iidiabitants
of the city were all ordered back from the roiul leading
from the entrance to the Egyptian inclosure to the gate in
the city walls. An hour later the Egyptians drew u[> in
order in their inclosure.

Each man carried with him food sufficient for a week's
subsistence, and Am!i!)a hud arranged that a eertain nmnber
of bullocks shouM be sent forward at once to each halting-
place on tlu way to tlie frontier, and that tiioie a held
sufficient for their subsistence diwing their march to the
nearest Egyptian garrison should be awaiting them. In firm
and steady order the Egyptians marched out. 'J'he images
and symbols of the gods were carried aloft, and the bearing
of the soldiers was proud and defiant, for they, too, were
doubtful whether the Rebu might not intend to make an
attack upon them, the terms granted them seeming to be
almost too good to be trusted. No sooner had the rear of
the column })assed out thiough the city gate than the Kebu
with shouts of joy Hocke<l down from the walls, and the city
gave itself up to rejoicing.

318

TlIK MOST fUt.KNT WUliK.

J(;thro li;ul at ()iicc sent out niessciigors to see tliat tlie
oxen were collected at the points aui;reed upon, and to issui;
orders that tlie po})ulation along the line of march should
all I'ciire heforo the arrival of the E<i:y[)tians, who niiglit
otherwise have been teni[)led to st'ize them and carry them
oil" as slaves with them in their retreat.

For the next few days Amuha's time was wholly occupied
in receiving; dej)Utations from the various towns and districts,
in appointing fresh ollicials, and in taking measures for the
i"e-iirming of the jteople and their enrolment in comi)anies,
so that the country should be in a position to otl'er a des-
j)ei'ate resistance should the Egy[)tians determine to re-
capture it. It was certain that many months must ela})se
before any force capable of undertaking their invasion coild
march from Egypt; but Amuba Avas deternnned that no
time should be lost in making prejjarations, and he deciiled
that something of the tactics and discipline of the Egyptians
should be introduced into the liebu army.

lie had on the very night of the surprise of the town
sen*" on a message to inform the girls of his success, and
that neither Chebron nor himself were hurt. Having by
unremitting work got through his most ])ressing business, he
left Jethro, who was now formally ai»[)oiiited general-in-
chief, to carry on the work, and started with Chebrcn to
fetch tlio girls to his capital. Eut he was now obliged to
ti'avel with a ctutain amount of state, and he was accom-
panied by twenty of the leading men of the Kebu in chariots,
and by an escort of light armed horsemen. At each town
through which he })assed he was received with rapturous
L:reetini2;s, and hailed as king and deliverer of the nation.

Two days after starting he arrived at the little seaport, and
after receiving the usual greeting from the inhabitants, and
holding an audience at which he received the principal
inhabitants wiio came to tender their allegiance, he mad*'

YOU ai:e KiNf; amit.a.

'MO

see tliat the
and to issiu;
iiarcli sliouM
who might
I carry tlifiii

i)lly 0(3cupiL'(l
;ni(l (listrietri,
siircs for tlic
ji coiii[)aiiie8.
> oH'er a des-
nniiie to re-
must ehi[)sc
ivasion co'ild
nod that no
d ho (kicidod
he Egyptians

of the town

success, and

Havinii; hv

business, ho

general-in-

Chebrcn to

w obliged to

was acconi-

u ill chariots,

t each town

h rai)turous

le nation.

seaport, and

iliitants, and

iio princip.^l

ce, he mad*'

his way to the house of th.e Persian morcliant where he had
i)lacod the girls. As ids chariot stopped at tlio door the
mercluuit appeared on the tlirosliohl and made a profound
prostration. He had until the arrival of Amuba at the town
been in entire ignorance that those who had placed the girls
under his charges were other than they seemed. He knew
indeed from their ignorance of his language that the girls were
not Persians, but su[)posed that they were female .slaves who
had been brought from a distance, with a view, perhaps, of
being i)resonted as an ol'ering to the king.

After a word or two with him, Amuba and C'h(d)ron
entered the house and ascended to the apartment which had
boon set aside for the girls. They were standing tinddly
at one end of the room, and both bent profoundly as ho
entered. Amuba for a moment paused in astonishment, and
then l)urst into a fit of laughter.

"Is thisyour sister, Chobron, who thus greets her old friend
in such resi)ectful fashion? Am I mysi^lf or some one elst; {"

"You are King Amuba," J\Iysa said, half snnling, but
with tears in her eves.

"That is true eiunigh, My.sa; but I wos always ])rince, you
know. So there is notiiing very surpHsing in that."

" There is a great difference," Mysa said; "and it is only
right where there is such a difference of rank—"

"The difference of rank need not exist long, Mysa,"
Amuba .said, sto[)i)ing forward and taking her han<i. "Cheb-
I'on, who is your brother, and like a brother to mo, has given
me his consent, and it rests oidy with yon wliethor you will
be queen of the Kobu and Anudia's wife. Vou know that
if I had not succeeded in winning a throne 1 should have
asked you to share my lot as an exile, and 1 think you
would have said ye.s. Surely you are not going to spoil my
triumi)h now by saying no. If you do I shrll use my royal
power in earnest and take you whether you will or not."

350

A DOUF'.LE MAIUIIAOE.

But ^lysa did not say no, and six week? later there was
a royal wedding in the capital. Amuba had at once allotted
one of the largest houses in the royal inclosure to Cliebron,an<l
to this he took Mysa while Aniuba was making the tour of
his country, receiving the homage of the people, heariiig
complaints and seeing that the work of preparation for the
defence of the country was being carried on, after which he
returned to the capital. The wedding was celebrated in
great state, though it was observed that the religious cere-
monies were somewhat cut short, and that Amuba abstained
from himself offering sacrifice on the altars of the gods.
The ceremony was a double one, for at the same time
Chebron was united to Ruth.

For the next year the preparations for war went on
vigorously and the Kebu army was got into a state of great
elHcienc3^ Amuba and Jethro '.It confident that it could
successfully withstand any invading force from Kgypt, but,
as th(!y had hoped, i^'"yi)t made no effort to legain her
distant concpiest, but was content to rank the land of the
Kel)u among the list of her tributary nations, and to accept
the diminished tribute.

Once ])repared for war Amuba turned his attention to
the internal uH'aiis of the country. ]\!any of the methods
of government of Egypt were introduced. Irrigation was
carried out on a large scale, and the people were taught no
longer to depend solely upon their ilocks and herds. Stone
took the place of mud in the buildings of the towns, rigorous
justice was enforced throughout the land, wagons and carts
similar to those of Egypt took the jilace of pack animals,
which had hitherto been used for transport; improved
methods of agriculture were taught, and contentment and
plenty reigned in the land.

Chebron remained Amuba's chief minister, adviser, and
frl.md, a.]] i under their joint efforts the Kebu rose fiom the

cr there was
once allotted
;;iiebron,aii(l
;; the tour of
)ple, heari!ig
ation for the
ter which he
;elebrate(l in
eligious cere-
iba abstained
of the gods.
e same time

^var went on
state of great

that it couUl
n Kgypt, but,
^o legain her
hind of the

and to acce}>t

AMrn.V S IIARI»FST TASIv.

3:. I

attention to
the methods
rri'jfation was
ere taught no
lerds. Stone
)wns, rigorous
ons and carts
)ack animals,
t ; improved
entment and

adviser, and
rose from the

condition of a mere settled tribe to that of a small but
tieuri.shitig nation.

Another cliaiig«! ^^'as made, but more slowly. Soon after
his asc(Mision Aimiba assembled many of the leading men
and chief-priosts in the country, and explained to them the
convictions held by himself and Chebron and iheir v.ivcs,
that there was but one Ood who ruled over the world, and
that this knowledge was the highest wisdom of the Kgyp-
tians. lie explained to the piie.-ts that he did not wish to
overthrow the temples, or distinb the worship of the former
gods, but that he desired that the people should not remain
in ignorance, but should be tauLcht that the gods as they
worshipped them were hv^ s^^n'-ols of iuuige.s of the one
great Ciod. He said he had no thought of enforcing his
convictions upon others, but that all world be free to wor
ship as they }>leased, and that at all times ho and Chebion
would be ready to confer with those who wished to inrpiire
into these matters.

In this matter alone Amuba met with much op])Osition in
carrying out his plans, and had he been le.-^s popular than
he was with the people his eilbrts might have cost him his
throne and his life; but the Kebu were devoted to him, and
as the priests came gradually to see that th< liange would
not diminish their power, their op})osition ed away, es-
])ecially as many of the younger men were 'on convinced
by the arguments of the king and his minist ••
the new reliirion with enthusiasm anion;j;
it was not until many years after that Amul)a had the
satisfaction of knowing that the one (b I was worshij)ped
among his people. He was well aware tiiat the success of
the work was to no small extent due to the "arnestness with
which Mysa and Ruth had laboured amon^ the wives and
daughters of the nobles.

"How strangely things turn out," Chebi'-n sdd one day

and i)rea(jhed
people. But

3r)2

"TlIK FOIITINATE SHOT."

ten years after their jirrival in tlie land, when tlio Jittle
})arty wlio ha<l travrllud so long togetliei' were; gathered
in a room in the palace. "At one time it sceined that that
unlucky shot of mine wouhl not only bring ruin on all
connected with me, but be a source of unhappiness to me to
the end of my life. Now I see that, exce[»t for the death
of my father, it was the most fortunate event of my life. Hut
for that, I should all niy life have gone on believing in the
gods of Egypt; but for that, although you, Amulja and
Jethro, might some day have made your escai)e, My.sa and
I would assuredly nevoi- have left Egypt, never have known
anything of the life of happiness and u:?«'fulness that we
now enjoy. All this I consider I owe to the fortunate
shot that killed the Cat of IJubastes."

TUE KNFK

en tlio jitilo
3n; gathered
ed that that
ruin on all
less to me to
or tlie death
my life. lUit
evini:; in the
Amuba and
)e, My.sa and
have known
loss that we
he fortunate